Appendix 7.2 Phase 1 Habitat and NVC Survey
ENERGY ISLES WIND FARM i APPENDIX 7.2
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ENERGY ISLES WIND FARM ii APPENDIX 7.2
botanæco
Yell Phase 1 Habitats & National Vegetation Classification
Prepared by: Dr Andy McMullen
Date: 20th of September, 2016
Tel: 0791 864 2223
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.botanaeco.co.uk
Contents
1 Executive Summary ...... 1 2 Introduction ...... 2 Commission ...... 2 Aim & Objectives ...... 2 Background ...... 2 3 Methods ...... 3 Desk study ...... 3 Survey ...... 3 Phase 1 Habitat Survey ...... 3 National Vegetation Classification (NVC) ...... 3 Nomenclature ...... 4 Guidance ...... 4 Assessment ...... 5 Conservation Priorities ...... 5 Notable Species ...... 5 Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems ...... 5 4 Baseline ...... 6 Desk study ...... 6 Notable species ...... 6 Designated Sites ...... 10 Habitats and Vegetation ...... 10 Site Habitat Description ...... 10 Habitats and their Associated Vegetation Communities ...... 15 5 Assessment ...... 31 Conservation Priorities ...... 31 Habitats ...... 31 Locations ...... 35 Notable Species ...... 36 Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems ...... 36
Tables
Table 1: Legislated or listed species in the OS 10km grid squares in which the site is located. .... 7 Table 2: List of Phase 1 habitats and their absolute and relative areas...... 14 Table 3: List of Phase 1 habitats and corresponding National Vegetation Classification plant communities...... 18 Table 4: List of unimproved, acid grassland NVC communities and their habitat(s)...... 22 Table 5: Phase 1 habitats and National Vegetation Classification plant communities and their relation to designations of the EU Habitats Directive, Scottish Biodiversity List and Living Shetland, the Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP)...... 32 Table 6: Potentially Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems within the site; their guidance- stated and site-specific groundwater dependency; and the reasoning for their site-specific assessment...... 37
Figures
Figure 1: Phase 1 Habitat Map...... 10 Figure 2: NVC communities map...... 11 Figure 3: GWDTE in buffer zone ...... Appendix 3 Figure 4: Woodland relicts ...... Appendix 4
Appendices
Appendix 1: Target Notes Appendix 2: Plant species list Appendix 3: Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystem buffer zone survey Appendix 4: Woodland relicts Appendix 5: Figure 1: Phase 1 Habitat map Figure 2: NVC communities
botanæco 1 Executive Summary
Botanæco was commissioned by Energy Isles to undertake a combined Phase 1 Habitat / National Vegetation Classification (NVC) survey and an assessment of groundwater dependent ecosystems in connection with an area of land (hereafter referred to as ‘the Site’), located to the south of the small village of Gloup on the Isle of Yell (Shetland) at central Ordnance Survey Grid Reference: HP 493 007. The surveys, which were completed in July 2016, were undertaken to inform a proposed wind farm development within the Site (‘the Proposed Development’).
A desk study established that biological recording activity within the Site is limited although previous records exist for a number non-floral species.
The Phase 1 Habitat and National Vegetation Classification (NVC) survey established the Site was dominated by blanket bog, in addition to the following habitats, which were recorded within the Site and wider study area: acid grassland, unimproved; acid grassland, semi- improved; calcareous grassland, unimproved; marshy grassland; acid, dry, dwarf shrub heath; flush and spring: acid/neutral; flush and spring: basic; bare peat; oligotrophic / dystrophic loch; and maritime cliff & slope: coastal grassland.
Notable plant species in terms of nature conservation were not confirmed with the Site. However, an unidentified hawkweed (Hieracium spp.) was recorded at one location at the head of Gloup Voe that may be of note; and the genus as a whole is included in the out-of- date Local Biodiversity Action Plan.
The following habitats are identified as priorities for nature conservation: blanket bog (NVC communities M1, M2, M3 & M17b; also including M29); calcareous grassland (NVC community CG10a); and oligotrophic /dystrophic lochans.
One location at the head of Gloup Voe, was observed as being notable for the following elements: woodland relicts; CG10a calcareous grassland; and hawkweeds (Hieracium spp.).
Seven of the NVC communities recorded are potentially highly groundwater dependent Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems (GWDTEs). In a site-specific context, high groundwater dependency is only attributed to one GWDTE NVC community (M10a) in one single location. The low groundwater dependency of the remaining potential GWDTEs reflects the dominance of rain-fed blanket bog habitat and associated surface water drainage.
Yell: Phase 1 Habitats & NVC 1 March 2019 botanæco 2 Introduction Commission
Botanæco was commissioned by Energy Isles to undertake a combined Phase 1 Habitat and National Vegetation Classification (NVC) survey, and an assessment of groundwater dependent ecosystems in connection with a proposed wind farm development (‘the Proposed Development’) on Yell, Shetland. This habitat and vegetation data is required to inform a development layout within the Proposed Development Site (‘the Site’). Aim & Objectives
The aim of the commission was to provide an ecological account of the habitats and vegetation communities present within the Site boundary (refer to Figure 1) with reference to the following specific objectives:
x a desk study to identify known records of notable species;
x production of Phase 1 Habitat and NVC vegetation maps;
x target notes recording polygon-specific data or point-based features (including evidence of protected faunal species);
x description of the habitats and vegetation communities; and
x assessment of the groundwater dependency, with specific reference to potential Ground Water Dependant Terrestrial Ecosystems (GWDTE). Background
The Site is located in the north-west of Yell, one of the Shetland Islands, at altitudes between sea level and 112m (on the Hill of Vigon). Wind speeds and rainfall are high across the islands but temperatures and the topography are moderate in both their scale and range. As a result, the vegetation is upland in character, waterlogged and dominated by blanket bog and other mire types, with areas of grassland in the more sheltered valleys and on better-drained slopes. The grasslands are especially important for the grazing of sheep – the main land use in the area.
Waterbodies are widespread as a result of the high rainfall/low evaporation ratio: numerous small streams drain the Site in all directions and lochs and lochans of all sizes are widespread throughout the Site.
Wooded habitats are rare throughout Shetland and confined to sheltered glens and sea cliffs because of the climate and grazing of sheep. This situation is reflected within the northern part of the Site, where only a small area (c. 0.5 ha) of planted trees are present in one location (Refer Target Note 63 in Appendix 1).
A number of designated sites are present within 5 km of the Site. East Mires and Lumbister Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) occur within 200 m the southern Site boundary, which are designated for their upland habitats (blanket bog). Breckon, Graveland and Ness of Cullivoe SSSI are located between 3 -and 5 km from the Site boundary and designated for their geology, species and/or mostly coastal habitat(s).
Yell: Phase 1 Habitats & NVC 2 March 2019 botanæco 3 Methods Desk study
A desk-based study of data held by the following sources was undertaken to determine the known presence and details of notable or protected species, habitats and/or designations:
x The National Biodiversity Network Gateway1 (for designated species);
x SNH’s Sitelink and Defra’s MAGIC websites2 (for designated sites, habitats and species); and
x ‘Living Shetland’3 (the now out-of-date Local Biodiversity Action Plan to identify local priorities for conservation).
The data acquired from all of these sources was used to inform the nature of the surveys, assessments and any habitat management/mitigation plans. Survey
Phase 1 Habitat Survey
An Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey was undertaken according to the standard Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) methods4, with the aim of identifying, describing and mapping the habitats and other features of ecological interest within the Site boundary. The survey involved the identification and mapping of the NVC communities (as outlined below in Paragraphs 3.5 to 3.7) and grouping these into their Phase 1 habitats.
‘Target Notes’ were used to locate and describe any point and/or features of ecological interest (such as an area of habitat too small to map) or to provide additional details on distinctive areas of habitat or vegetation. A GPS was used to ensure locational accuracy and a digital camera to photograph pertinent features. National Vegetation Classification (NVC) Approach
The vegetation of semi-natural and potential GWDTE origin was subject to a NVC survey. NVC categorises vegetation according to the NVC of British plant communities5. NVC provides a greater degree of information than Phase 1 Habitat Survey because it is based on the full floristic composition of the plant communities. It consequently provides a more precise means of identifying plant communities of relevance to nature conservation, for example.
Sampling was undertaken in accordance with the standard NVC method (as outlined in the NVC Users Handbook6). The method involves walking the Site and mapping homogenous areas of vegetation onto orthorectified aerial photographs at a scale of 1:12 500 to ensure the accuracy of the boundaries. A single vegetation community or mosaic of several communities may be mapped in a polygon, depending upon the scale and patterning of the
1 Species records available through http://nbn.org.uk/. Accessed 14/07/2016. 2 SiteLink data including mapping and site documentation available through https://gateway.snh.gov.uk/; and MAGIC’s enhanced mapping available through http://magic.defra.gov.uk/. Accessed 14/07/2016. 3 Further details and downloads available at http://www.shetland.gov.uk/developmentplans/livingshetland.asp. Accessed 14/07/2016. 4 Joint Nature Conservation Committee. 2003. Handbook for Phase 1 habitat survey. Revised reprint. JNCC, Peterborough. Available online at: http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/PDF/pub10_handbookforphase1habitatsurvey.pdf. Accessed 14/07/2016. 5 Rodwell, J.S. 1991-2000. British Plant Communities. 5 Volumes. Cambridge University Press. 6 Further details and download available at http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-3724. Accessed 14/07/2016.
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vegetation. Where mosaics are present, the percentage cover of each constituent NVC sub- /community is stated.
The NVC sub-/communities are identified in the field, based on experience and a series of samples in which the species are enumerated on the DAFOR scale (refer to Paragraph 3.10). Where unknown vegetation sub-communities are encountered, these samples permit identification using the keys in British Plant Communities5 or statistical analysis within the Modular Analysis of Vegetation Information System (MAVIS)7. Floristics
A list of species was produced for each NVC sub-/community to facilitate their identification and description. This includes identification of the dominant, constant and companion species as well as their variation across the Site. Where evident, the controlling ecological factors responsible for any variation were also recorded.
In cases where the vegetation does not correspond with any of the NVC sub-communities, the identification was made to the nearest community and this is discussed in the relevant sections below (for M2 bog pools and non-NVC dry heath).
The ‘DAFOR’ scale (Dominant > Abundant > Frequent > Occasional > Rare) was used to express the cover of individual species in the NVC sub-/communities and variants. Accordingly, such expressions of abundance relate only to the presence of the species within these units, unless another geographical context is explicitly stated. This is especially pertinent in the case of ‘rare’ species where the use of the term may cause some confusion. The term ‘notable’ is therefore be used to indicate species that are subject to legislation or included within, for example, Biodiversity Action Plans or Red Lists.
Quadrat sampling was not used in this survey (in line with recent commissions undertaken by Botanæco) as it is not necessary provided vegetation types can be reliably identified in the field using qualitative data. Furthermore, NVC communities and sub-communities are defined by the inter-stand frequency, not just the abundance of the constituent species. It is therefore more effective to record several qualitative samples because this information can be used to understand the dynamics and trends in vegetation patterns6. Ecological Observations
Observations of the ecology of each habitat and/or NVC sub-/community are made to relate the evident, controlling factors including management-related effects. These observations facilitate the assessment of the ecological value of the plant communities and habitats; and the development of mitigation and habitat management plans. Nomenclature
Vernacular names are used for the higher plants and these can be cross-referenced to the scientific names in the species list (Appendix 2). Scientific names only are used for the moss and liverwort species because although vernacular names are now in existence, they are not in general usage. The standard floras for each of the major plant groups are employed8. Guidance
The surveys and assessment accord with the respective methods4 and Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM) guidelines9.
7 Further details and download available at https://www.ceh.ac.uk/services/modular-analysis-vegetation-information- system-mavis. Accessed 14/07/2016. 8 Stace, C.A. 2010 New Flora of the British Isles. 3rd edition. Cambridge University Press, for higher plants; Smith, A.J.E. 2004 The moss flora of Britain and Ireland. 2nd edition. Cambridge University Press, for mosses; and Paton, J..A. 1999 The liverwort flora of the British Isles. Harley Books, Colchester, for liverworts. 9 Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management Undated. General advice on surveys and methods. Available online at: http://www.ieem.net/surveymethods.asp. Accessed Accessed 20/06/2016.
Yell: Phase 1 Habitats & NVC 4 March 2019 botanæco Assessment
Conservation Priorities
The NVC communities are assessed against the following to identify priorities for protection, mitigation and conservation at the European, national (Scottish) and local (Yell/Shetland) scale:
x Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive10;
x Scottish Biodiversity List11; and
x Local Biodiversity Action Plan3 (now out-of-date but of use in identifying local priorities). Notable Species
Notable species are those that are subject to nature conservation designation. The JNCC spreadsheet of taxa designations12 defines these species and will be used as the main point of reference in addition to the outdated, Local Biodiversity Action Plan to identify local, notable species. Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems
Potential GWDTE were identified through an analysis of the NVC results, using the current SEPA guidance (Guidance Note 31)13. Those potential GWDTE evidently associated with the margins of watercourses or waterbodies were screened out of further consideration. The remaining potential GWDTE were assessed in the field using the Botanæco GWDTE Decision Tool (Appendix 3). Notes on this process are recorded in a related target note for each screened-in GWDTE polygon. Each of the remaining potential GWDTE polygons were then graded as being of ‘high’, ‘medium’ or ‘low’ groundwater dependency, as per the SEPA guidance.
10 Full list of Annex I habitats and Annex II species available at http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/Publications/JNCC312/UK_habitat_list.asp. Accessed 20/06/2016. 11 Further details and download available at http://www.biodiversityscotland.gov.uk/advice-and-resources/scottish- biodiversity-list/. Accessed 20/06/2016. 12 Further information and download available at: http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-3408. Accessed 20/06/2016. 13 Download available at http://www.sepa.org.uk/media/144266/lups-gu31-guidance-on-assessing-the-impacts-of- development-proposals-on-groundwater-abstractions-and-groundwater-dependent-terrestrial-ecosystems.pdf. Accessed 20/06/2016.
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Notable species
Numerous notable species records are available on the National Biodiversity Network for the area around the Site; however, few occur within the Site. Only those within a 1 km distance of the Site boundary were included in the following summary. However, a complete list of the species recorded from the OS 10 km grid squares, in which the Site is located, is provided in Table 1. This provides an inventory of species that may possibly occur in the Yell area, although some, such as the Norwegian sandwort, are exclusively associated with the unusual soil conditions on Unst.
The notable species are included in:
x Annex 2 of the Habitats Directive (i.e. ‘European Protected Species’)10;
x The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 199414 (as amended in Scotland);
x Scottish Biodiversity List11;
x UK Biodiversity Action Plan (as Priority Species)15,
x the 2001 IUCN Red List16 and/or
x are classified as Nationally Rare or Nationally Scarce17.
It is immediately apparent from the number of species recorded that most of the area covered by the Site is under-recorded (refer to the column for HP40 in Table 1). In contrast, numerous records are available from the more accessible areas and from the distinctive habitats of Unst.
Numerous plant species are recorded within all four grid squares. Within a 1 km buffer, there is a concentration of records to the south, with records for the nationally scarce: arctic eyebright, Philonotis cespitosa, Cephalozia catenulata, C. pleniceps, Haplomitrium hookeri, Moerckia hibernica, Racomitrium sudeticum and Sphagnum austinii concentrated around Loch Colvister and the Lochs of Lumbister. Heather, included in the Scottish Biodiversity List, is widespread and common across the Site. The near-threated moss Sanionia orthothecioides has been recorded from Gloup Ness. It is also included in the Scottish Biodiversity List.
14 Further details are available at http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/protected-species/legal- framework/habitats-directive/regulations/. Accessed 20/06/2016. 15 Further details are available at http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-5717. Accessed 20/06/2016. 16 Further details are available at http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/categories-and-criteria/2001- categories-criteria. Accessed 20/06/2016. 17 Definitions available at http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-3425. Accessed 20/06/2016.
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Table 1: Legislated or Listed Species in the OS 10 km Grid Squares (HP40, HP50, HU40, HY50)
Legislation Legislated or listed species by OS 10km grid square or Listing HP40 HP50 HU40 HU50 Scottish x Lutra lutra x Juniperus communis subsp. nana x Juniperus communis (juniper) Biodiversity List (European otter) (juniper) x Juniperus communis subsp. nana x Arenaria norvegica subsp. norvegica x Calluna vulgaris (heather) (Norwegian sandwort) x Cirsium arvense (creeping thistle) x Calluna vulgaris (heather) x Cirsium palustre (marsh thistle) x Cirsium arvense (creeping thistle) x Cirsium vulgare (spear thistle) x Cirsium palustre (marsh thistle) x Viola tricolor subsp. tricolor (wild x Cirsium vulgare (spear thistle) pansy) x Draba incana (hoary whitlowgrass) x Sanionia orthothecioides x Euphorbia helioscopia (sun spurge) x Sinapis arvensis (charlock) x Viola tricolor (wild pansy) x Viola tricolor subsp. tricolor x Verrucaria degelii x Bryum archangelicum x Sanionia orthothecioides x Chara curta (Lesser Bearded Stonewort) UK Biodiversity x Juniperus communis (juniper) Action Plan x Juniperus communis subsp. nana Priority Species x Coeloglossum viride (frog orchid) x Gentianella campestris (field gentian) x Fossombronia foveolata IUCN 2001 x Euphrasia arctica subsp. arctica Critically (eyebright) endangered x Euphrasia confusa (little kneeling eyebright) x Euphrasia foulaensis (eyebright x Euphrasia micrantha (common slender eyebright) x Rhinanthus minor subsp. monticola (yellow rattle) x Cladonia coccifera s. lat. IUCN 2001 x Hymenophyllum wilsonii (Wilson's x Hymenophyllum wilsonii (Wilson's Near threatened filmy-fern) filmy-fern)
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Legislation Legislated or listed species by OS 10km grid square or Listing HP40 HP50 HU40 HU50 x Gentianella amarella subsp. x Viola tricolor subsp. tricolor (wild septentrionalis (felwort) pansy) x Mertensia maritima (oysterplant) x Sanionia orthothecioides x Potamogeton praelongus (long- stalked pondweed) x Viola canina ssp. canina dog violet) x Viola tricolor (wild pansy) x Viola tricolor subsp. tricolor x Sanionia orthothecioides IUCN 2001 x Arenaria norvegica subsp. norvegica x Coeloglossum viride (frog orchid) Vulnerable (Norwegian sandwort) x Gentianella campestris (field gentian) x Coeloglossum viride (frog orchid) x Hieracium dilectum (purple-tinted x Gentianella campestris (field gentian) hawkweed) x Glebionis segetum (corn marigold) x Spergula arvensis (corn spurrey) x Spergula arvensis (corn spurrey) IUCN 2001 x Euphrasia arctica subsp. arctica Data deficient (eyebright) x Euphrasia confusa (Little Kneeling Eyebright) x Euphrasia foulaensis (an eyebright) x Euphrasia micrantha (common slender eyebright) x Euphrasia ostenfeldii (an eyebright) x Rhinanthus minor subsp. monticola (yellow rattle) x Cladonia coccifera s. lat. Nationally rare x Hieracium dilectum (purple-tinted hawkweed) x Sanionia orthothecioides Nationally scarce x Philonotis caespitosa x Racomitrium sudeticum x Sphagnum austinii x Weissia perssonii x Euphrasia arctica subsp. arctica (eyebright) x Euphrasia foulaensis (eyebright)
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Legislation Legislated or listed species by OS 10km grid square or Listing HP40 HP50 HU40 HU50 x Polygonum boreale (northern knotgrass) x Cephalozia catenulata x Cephalozia pleniceps x Fossombronia foveolata x Haplomitrium hookeri x Harpanthus flotovianus x Jungermannia subelliptica x Moerckia hibernica x Nardia geoscyphus x Odontoschisma elongatum x Cladonia coccifera s. lat.
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Designated Sites
A number of protected sites are present within 5 km of the Site. East Mires and Lumbister SAC and SSSI is located within 200 m of southern Site boundary. The sites are designated their blanket bog habitat. Breckon, Graveland and Ness of Cullivoe SSSI are located 3 - 5 km from the Site boundary and are designated for their geology, species and/or mostly coastal habitat(s). Direct connectivity of the Site with these protected areas’ habitats is limited by the distance and nature of the features in the latter instances; and in the case of East Mires and Lumbister, by the intervening presence of two lochs and their associated watercourses. Habitats and Vegetation
In this section of the report, the habitats and vegetation are described through the results of the Phase 1 Habitat and National Vegetation Classification surveys. In each section, the habitat is described in general terms first, according to the results of the Phase 1 Habitat survey, followed by a more detailed plant community-based description, relating to the results of the NVC vegetation survey. Finally, the environment of the habitat and vegetation communities is described.
The blanket bog habitat is described first because of its extensive coverage across the Site. Areas for all of the habitats and their mosaics are provided in Table 2. The remaining minor habitats and vegetation communities (in terms of their extent) are then described in order of their alphanumeric codes. These may be referenced in Table 3, which provides an inventory of the habitats and vegetation communities recorded during the survey and the correspondence between them. The maps of the habitats and vegetation are provided overleaf, in Figures 1 & 2; and A3 versions are provided in Appendix 5. Site Habitat Description
The relatively gentle topography of the Site and the prevailing climate conditions have resulted in the widespread presence of blanket bog. Blanket bog dominates over 72.3% (1,611 ha) of the Site andforms a mosaic with other habitats over a further 13.7% (305 ha) - a total of 86% (1,916 ha). Only on the flanks and bases of the small valleys of the watercourses; on the steepest, water-shedding slopes; or in proximity to the coast, are other habitats and plant communities present.
Amongst these other habitats, acid grassland, acid/neutral flush and marshy grassland are associated with the flanks and bases of the small valleys of the watercourses, or the edges of lochs and lochans. Dry heath can also be present in the same situations, especially in the larger, well-defined valleys in the north of the Site. These same habitats were also occasionally present on steep slopes away from the valleys. Acid grassland was also strongly associated with the abandoned settlements on the western and eastern boundaries in the north of the Site. Evidence of improvement was also associated with these areas that continue to be grazed by sheep.
Acid grassland and dry heath occupy 1.5% (33.5 ha) and 1.6% (35.0 ha) of the Site respectively, with an additional 3.4% (75.8 ha) in mosaics with each other and other habitats.
Along on the south-western coastal boundary, minor areas of coastal grassland (0.5 ha) and wind-clipped, dry heath were recorded - associated with the salt spray and exposure above the sea cliffs. Some influence from base-rich substrates was evident in the same area in the occurrence of basic flushes just beyond the Site boundary (Appendix 3). The influence of basic substrates was also evident in the presence of well-drained calcareous grassland in one of the gorges at the head of Gloup Voe (in the north of the Site; refer to target Note 33, Appendix 1). A small area of planted woodland (c. 0.5 ha) was recorded in the northern centre of the Site, in addition to woodland relicts, which persist in the gorges at the head of
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Gloup Voe. These habitats are limited in extent and no one habitat covers more than 0.3 ha (or 0.01% of the Site) or contributes to mosaics covering more than this area.
In addition to the blanket bog, acid grassland and dry heath, only the lochans extend over more than 1% of the Site in unbroken form. The larger lochs extend over an area of 97.6 ha (4.4% of the Site). The smaller lochans are usually mapped in a mosaic with blanket bog (and minor areas of other habitats) and this results in a cumulative cover of 244 ha or 11% (some of which is also counted under the blanket bog mosaic figures given above).
Lochs, lochans and pools are present across the Site, especially towards the south where the largest waterbodies are located. With only one oligotrophic exception, these waterbodies are dystrophic. The watercourses draining the Site are also oligotrophic to dystrophic. They are also small (up to 1 m wide); prone to drought and spates; and widely lost from view within slits and pipes in the peat of the blanket bog. Otherwise, they are associated with shallow valleys with acid flush, and acid and marshy grassland habitats.
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botanæco
Table 2: List of Phase 1 Habitats and their Absolute and Relative Areas
Area Code Title Absolute (ha) Relative (%) E1.6.1 Blanket bog 1,611.5 72.3 B1.1 Acid grassland, unimproved 32.2 1.4 B1.1/B5 Marshy grassland/ Acid grassland, unimproved 7.6 0.34 Acid grassland, unimproved/Acid, dry, dwarf B1.1/D1.1 60.6 2.7 shrub heath Acid grassland, unimproved/ Flush and spring: B1.1/E2.1 0.5 0.02 acid/neutral B1.1/E2.1 Acid grassland, unimproved/Flush and spring: 0.7 0.03 /E1.6.1 acid/neutral/Blanket bog Acid grassland, unimproved/ Other exposure – B1.1/I1.4.1 acid/neutral/ Acid, dry, dwarf shrub 7.3 0.3 /D1.1/E1.6.1 heath/Blanket bog B1.2 Acid grassland, semi-improved 1.3 0.1 B3.1 Calcareous grassland, unimproved n/a n/a D1.1 Acid, dry, dwarf shrub heath 35 1.6 Acid, dry, dwarf shrub heath/Acid grassland, D1.1/B1.1/B5 5.6 0.3 unimproved/Marshy grassland D1.1/B1.1/E1.6. Acid, dry, dwarf shrub heath/Acid grassland, 2.3 0.1 1 unimproved/Blanket bog D1.1/E1.6.1 Acid, dry, dwarf shrub heath/ Blanket bog 11.5 0.5 Acid, dry, dwarf shrub heath/ Flush and spring: D1.1/E2.1 0.7 0.03 acid/neutral E1.6.1/B1.1 Blanket bog/ Acid grassland, unimproved 10.7 0.5 Blanket bog/ Acid grassland, E1.6.1/B1.1/G1. unimproved/Oligotrophic/dystrophic lochans/ 1.6 0.1 3/4/I1.4.1 Other exposure – acid/neutral E1.6.1/B1.1/G1. Blanket bog/ Acid grassland, 6.7 0.3 4 unimproved/Dystrophic lochans E1.6.1/E4 Blanket bog/ Bare peat 66.7 3.0 Blanket bog/ Bare peat E1.6.1/E4/G1.4 7.6 0.3 / Dystrophic lochans E1.6.1/G1.3 Blanket bog/ Oligotrophic lochans 15.2 0.7 E1.6.1/G1.3/E4 Blanket bog/ Oligotrophic lochans/Bare peat 54.9 2.5 E1.6.1/G1.4 Blanket bog/Dystrophic lochans 140.8 6.3 E1.6.1/G1.4/E4 Blanket bog/ Dystrophic lochans/Bare peat 17.2 0.8 E2.1 Flush and spring: acid/neutral 1.3 0.1 E2.1/E1.6.1 Flush and spring: acid/neutral/ Blanket bog 1.2 0.1 E2.2 Flush and spring: basic 5.6 0.3 E4 Bare peat 0.8 0.03 G1.3/ G1.4 Oligotrophic / dystrophic lochans 97.6 4.4 G1.4 Dystrophic lochans 0.3 0.01 H8.4 Maritime cliff & slope: coastal grassland 0.5 0.02 I1.4.1 Other exposure - acid/neutral 2 0.1 Other exposure - acid/neutral/Acid grassland, I1.4.1/B1.1 0.4 0.02 unimproved I1.4.1/E1.6.1 Other exposure - acid/neutral/ Blanket bog 5.8 0.3 I1.4.1/E1.6.1 Other exposure - acid/neutral/ Blanket bog/ Acid 16.1 0.7 /B1.1 grassland, unimproved Totals: 2,229.8 100
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Habitats and their Associated Vegetation Communities E1.6.1 Blanket Bog
Habitat Description
A combination of features define blanket bog and distinguish it from related habitats. The prominence of heaths and heather, bog-mosses (Sphagnum spp.) and sedges, especially bog-cottons and deer grass, defines the vegetation. Beneath the vegetation is a depth of peat greater than 0.5 m and this is especially characteristic of blanket bog.
Blanket bog extends across most of the Site, where it is absent only from the steepest, well- drained slopes and limited areas of riparian or coastal influence. In spite of the habitat’s extent, the species assemblage is rather invariable, although the relative cover of each species varies widely in response to drainage, exposure and/or grazing.
Common bog-cotton, cross-leafed heath, heather, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum cuspidatum and Sphagnum papillosum are the most consistent and frequent species. They collectively form rather even assemblages although each species may be locally abundant.
The most evident variation in the vegetation of this habitat is the cover of Racomitrium lanuginosum. Where exposure, natural drainage and/or the density of haggs is high, this species forms low hummocks that may attain 50% cover and impart a hoarish appearance to the vegetation. In wet areas, Sphagnum species and the lichen, Cladonia impexa, tend to dominate, and the cover of Racomitrium lanuginosum is low.
Wet areas in the base of haggs have a distinctly high cover of common bog-cotton that probably reflects persistence from its role in colonising the bare peat exposed by erosion in the past (Paragraph 4.33). Where grazing is present, the heather and sedge component is reduced in cover; and heath rush becomes abundant in a lawn of Sphagnum and hypnaceous mosses.
Distinctive elements mapped within the blanket bog include:
x bog pools;
x regenerating peat haggs and gulleys; and
x surface water run-off features.
The bog pools vary between bare, unvegetated peat bases; colonisation by common bog- cotton; by lawns or rafts of Sphagnum cuspidatum, or semi-/aquatic beds of Sphagnum denticulatum; respectively along a gradient from ephemeral and shallow, to permanent depths of water. The pools are widespread and frequent across the Site but of a low individual and total cover.
Peat haggs and gulleys are also widespread and frequent features on the Site. The erosion that formed these features is evidently historic, according to the extent of revegetation and less directly, the low amounts of peat accumulated in the waterbodies. Where peat was present in the lochs and lochans it was plate-like, highly humified and evidently derived from drying and cracking of the few remaining bare peat surfaces, rather than water flows. These surfaces were associated with vertical faces and water-shedding slopes within the haggs. They resist re-vegetation because of their desiccation/rewetting cycles and the high temperatures generated by the peat’s low albedo. Where conditions are less extreme, isolated tufts of common bog-cotton were present and succession to M17b proceeds from this point.
In a few areas, erosion has resulted in the total loss of the peat cover from summit areas (refer to target Notes 35, 84, 98 & 99, Appendix 1). In these instances, acid grassland and dry heath have established on the exposed till.
Vegetation
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The NVC communities associated with the blanket bog habitat are listed in Table 3 and described in the following sub-sections.
M17b: Trichophorum caespitosum-Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, Cladonia spp. sub- community
The M17 Trichophorum caespitosum-Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, (deergrass-hare’s- tail bog-cotton blanket mire) community is the single-most dominant community and is identified across the Site by the predominance of deergrass and common bog-cotton; and frequency (to local abundance) of Sphagnum species (especially Sphagnum capillifolium and Sphagnum papillosum). Low, frequent hummocks of the moss Racomitrium lanuginosum indicate the M17b Cladonia (lichen) sub-community, although lichens (nearly always Cladonia impexa) are never more than frequent.
Within the vegetation, common bog-cotton is very much more abundant than hare’s-tail bog- cotton and it becomes dominant in areas of regenerating vegetation within haggs. The sward of its leaves combined with the heather canopy limit the cover of more diminutive bog plants, such as the sundews, and results in a patchy Sphagnum distribution. Hypnaceous mosses are frequent but most noticeable are the low hummocks of Racomitrium lanuginosum.
As well as the species already listed (Paragraph 4.15) the following flowering species are occasional to rare in the M17b sub-community: bell heather, bog asphodel, common butterwort, crowberry, green-ribbed sedge, hare’s-tail bog-cotton, heath milkwort, round- leaved sundew, sheep’s fescue. The bryophyte layer is more even in its composition and in addition to the predominant species already listed, the following may be locally frequent, to rare: Frullania tamarisci, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum jutlandicum, Pleurozia purpurea, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Sphagnum compactum, Sphagnum cuspidatum, Sphagnum denticulatum, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum fuscum and Sphagnum subnitens.
M17c Trichophorum caespitosum-Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, Juncus squarrosus- Rhytidiadelphus loreus sub-community
The M17c Juncus squarrosus-Rhytidiadelphus loreus (heath rush-moss) sub-community is located in an area of enclosed blanket bog on the northern boundary of the Site, above Gloup Voe. It is distinguished by the prominence of heath rush and the frequency of hypnaceous mosses in association with species typical of the M17 community (refer to Paragraph 4.23).
Heather, heath rush, mat grass and sweet vernal grass are abundant with frequent crowberry and tormentil; and occasional heath milkwort. In the moss layer: Hylocomium splendens is abundant with frequent to occasional: Aulacomnium palustre, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Sphagnum papillosum and Thuidium tamariscinum.
M1 Sphagnum denticulatum bog pool community
All three of the bog pool communities are readily identified by the dominance of the nominative species. The M1 Sphagnum denticulatum (bog-moss) community is occasionally present in permanent bog pools and lochans across the Site where there is always a depth of water. There are no sub-communities.
Associates of the dominant Sphagnum denticulatum are very limited and only bulbous rush was frequently recorded in addition to occasional species derived from the surrounding blanket bog. This species poverty floristically distinguishes the bog pool community from the closely related, M29 soakway community, where a small number of species are consistently present in addition to the dominant Sphagnum denticulatum.
M2 Sphagnum cuspidatum/fallax bog pool community
The M2 Sphagnum cuspidatum/fallax (bog-moss) bog pool community occurs frequently within bog pools and small lochans that dry over the summer. It is also present in the base of water tracks across peat or through common bog-cotton-rich vegetation in the base of
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regenerating haggs. This ability to tolerate drying of semi-aquatic habitats distinguishes the M2 community from the more fully aquatic M1 and more xeric M3 bog pool communities.
Sphagnum cuspidatum and/or more rarely, S. fallax, dominate and indicate the cover of M2. Associates are rare to occasional and consistently include common bog-cotton and S. denticulatum, with other bog species appearing in the margins of the pools. Neither of the two NVC sub-communities is indicated by this species-poor and uneven assemblage, and the community alone is therefore assigned.
M3 Eriophorum angustifolium bog pool community
Areas of bare peat populated by scattered or more abundant stems of common bog-cotton indicate the M2 Eriophorum angustifolium (common bog-cotton) bog pool community. It occupies impermanent bog pools that dry over the summer and areas of regenerating, de- vegetated peat. Both situations are frequent and widespread across the Site.
The hagged areas occupied by the M3 community are associated with regeneration, a process in which the rhizomatosus common bog-cotton plays a colonist role. As such, additional species become present as succession towards M17b proceeds, sometimes including areas of the U6, heath-rush-dominated, acid grassland sub-communities. Otherwise, the common bog-cotton is rooted in ephemeral pools where the cycles of wetting and re-wetting inhibit colonisation by shallow-rooted/non-rhizomatous species.
Environment
The blanket bog vegetation is influenced by a combination of factors, in order of decreasing significance across the Site:
x grazing;
x ‘natural’ drainage via eroded gulleys and haggs;
x exposure/salt spray;
Grazing by sheep is concentrated at the northern and southern ends of the Site, especially around areas of acid grassland. Here its most widespread effect is to reduce the sward and canopy of common bog-cotton, deergrass and heather to a low carpet ≤5 cm high. As a result, the underlying mosses are exposed and Racomitrium lanuginosum becomes abundant to dominant with frequent Hylocomium splendens. Where the intensity of grazing is locally higher, sweet vernal grass becomes frequent. At higher levels of grazing, heath rush becomes abundant and its clones may dominate areas of several square metres. The highest levels of grazing result in a shift in vegetation composition and identity; to the Sphagnum- rich, U6b acid grassland or the M17c (heath rush-moss) blanket-mire community.
Yell: Phase 1 Habitats & NVC 17 March 2019 botanæco Table 3: List of Phase 1 Habitats and Corresponding National Vegetation Classification Plant Communities
Phase 1 Habitat National Vegetation Classification community Code Title Code Title M1 Sphagnum auriculatum bog pool community M2 Sphagnum cuspidatum/fallax bog pool community Blanket bog E1.6.1 M3 Eriophorum angustifolium bog pool community (also includes E4 ‘bare peat’) M17b Trichophorum caespitosum-Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, Cladonia spp. sub-community M17c Trichophorum caespitosum-E. vaginatum blanket mire, Juncus squarrosus-Rhytidiadelphus loreus sub-community U4a Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Galium saxatile grassland, typical sub-community U5a Nardus stricta-Galium saxatile grassland, species-poor sub-community U5b Nardus stricta-Galium saxatile grassland, Agrostis canina-Polytrichum commune sub-community U5c Nardus stricta-Galium saxatile grassland, Carex panicea-Viola riviniana sub-community B1.1 Acid grassland, unimproved U5d Nardus stricta-Galium saxatile grassland, Calluna vulgaris-Danthonia decumbens sub-community U5e Nardus stricta-Galium saxatile grassland, Racomitrium lanuginosum sub-community U6a Juncus squarrosus-Festuca ovina grassland, Sphagnum spp. sub-community U6d Juncus squarrosus-Festuca ovina grassland, Agrostis capillaris-Luzula multiflora sub-community B1.2 Acid grassland, semi-improved U4b Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Galium saxatile grassland, Holcus lanatus-Trifolium repens sub-community B3.1 Calcareous grassland, unimproved CG10a Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Thymus praecox grassland, Trifolium repens-Luzula campestris sub-community B5 Marshy grassland M23b Juncus effusus/acutiflorus-Galium palustre rush-pasture, Juncus effusus sub-community H12c Calluna vulgaris-Vaccinium myrtillus heath, Galium saxatile-Festuca ovina sub-community D1.1 Acid, dry, dwarf shrub heath H14 Calluna vulgaris-Racomitrium lanuginosum heath n.a. Non-NVC dry heath M6 Carex echinata-Sphagnum recurvum/auriculatum mire M6b Carex echinata-Sphagnum recurvum/auriculatum mire, Carex nigra-Nardus stricta sub-community E2.1 Flush and spring: acid/neutral M6c Carex echinata-Sphagnum recurvum/auriculatum mire, Juncus effusus sub-community M29 Hypericum elodes-Potamogeton polygonifolius soakway M32a Philonotis fontana-Saxifraga stellaris spring, Sphagnum denticulatum sub-community E2.2 Flush and spring: basic M10a Carex dioica-Pinguicula vulgaris mire, Carex demissa-Juncus bulbosus/kochii sub-community E4 Bare peat n.a. n.a. (but may be included in areas of M3 with a low cover of common bog-cotton) A9a Potamogeton natans community, species-poor sub-community G1.3/ A14 Myriophyllum alterniflorum community Oligotrophic / dystrophic lochans G1.4 A16a Callitriche stagnalis community, Callitriche spp. sub-community A24b Juncus bulbosus community, Sphagnum auriculatum sub-community Maritime cliff & slope: coastal H8.4 MC10a Festuca rubra-Plantago spp. maritime grassland, Armeria maritima sub-community grassland I1.4.1 Other exposure - acid/neutral n.a n.a.
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It is rare to find more than two hectares of completely unbroken bog surface, so natural drainage through eroded gulleys and peat haggs is widespread. Although erosion associated water movement is no longer ongoing, it is evident in the scarcity of Sphagnum and dominance of Racomitrium lanuginosum that the gulleys and haggs facilitate water loss from the peat and surrounding vegetation surface. However, these effects are generally localised and the greatest concentrations of haggs and gulleys are mapped with E4, ‘bare peat’ habitat included in the mosaic.
Evidence of historical erosion is widespread and locally concentrated across the Site. Regeneration is well-advanced so that only small areas of bare peat remain unvegetated, on slopes and ridges that are prone to extremes of drying and re-wetting. Elsewhere, the vegetation is on a successional trajectory towards the M17b blanket bog community. The stages may include U6 heath rush grassland and the M2 and M3 bog pool communities, as well as species-poor, uneven forms of M17b usually dominated by common bog-cotton.
Locally, along the western, coastal boundary of the Site, the influence of exposure and salt spray is evident in the M17b blanket bog vegetation. Exposure is most apparent in the dominance of Racomitrium lanuginosum and scarcity of Sphagnum species on the tops of ridges and summits. Salt spray may also contribute to the scarcity of Sphagnum but its influence is most evident in the frequency of sea plantain and more locally, the presence of spring squill (refer to Target Note 5b, Appendix 1) in the coastal, blanket bog vegetation. B1.1 Acid Grassland, Unimproved
Habitat Description
Acid grassland is typical of unenclosed pasture in the uplands. It is typically species poor and often associated with other upland habitats from which it may have been derived through grazing, burning and/or drainage.
Within the Site, acid grassland is present within a number of contexts including the riparian and coastal zones; steep, well-drained slopes; and the vicinity of abandoned settlements. It is in these areas that sheep grazing is concentrated as a consequence of the relative productivity of the acid grassland habitat. Grazing therefore maintains the acid grassland as well as being a formative influence in its development.
Three natural acid grassland groups are defined by the NVC communities:
x U4: dominated by bents and fescues and associated with the more productive acid soils.
x U5: unproductive grasslands dominated by mat grass with a range of associates reflecting the moisture and exposure conditions.
x U6: swards dominated by heath rush and usually associated with the riparian zone and grazing.
The variation and distinction between the acid grassland vegetation communities is more fully examined in the following section.
Vegetation
U4a Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Galium saxatile grassland, typical sub-community
The U4 Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Galium saxatile (sheep’s fescue-common bent-heath bedstraw) grassland community is readily recognised by its mid-green colouration and tightly grazed sward of bents, fescues, heath bedstraw, sweet vernal grass and tormentil. Its typical sub-community is recognised within the Site is by the species-poverty and moderate cover of mosses. The U4b Holcus lanatus-Trifolium repens (Yorkshire fog-white clover) sub- community is also present but is included as ‘improved, acid grassland’ habitat (refer to Paragraph 4.67) because of the presence of common mouse-ear, white clover and Yorkshire fog.
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As well as the grasses already listed, common sedge can also be abundant in the U4a sward and this probably reflects the mire origins of many of the grassland areas. Otherwise, Dicranum scoparium, eyebright, heath woodrush, mat grass, Polytrichum commune and tormentil are frequent; and Aulacomnium palustre, common bog-cotton, Plagiothecium denticulatum and Sphagnum papillosum are occasional. Many of these species also reflect the probable, heath/mire origins of the U4 grassland.
Both of the U4 communities within the Site (U4a and U4b) are relatively productive and valuable as pasture for sheep grazing. This practice, as well as some drainage, is responsible for their. In the absence of grazing, the U4 grasslands would likely revert to heath and mire vegetation.
U5a Nardus stricta-Galium saxatile grassland, species-poor sub-community
A sward dominated by mat grass indicates this and the other U5 Nardus stricta-Galium saxatile (mat grass-heath bedstraw) grassland sub-communities. An extremely uneven and species-poor composition indicates the U5a, ‘species-poor’ sub-community. Mat grass and its litter accumulations predominate over large areas together with occasional: Dicranum scoparium, eyebright, heath bedstraw, heath woodrush, Polytrichum commune, tormentil and wavy hair-grass. Aulacomnium palustre, common bog-cotton, Plagiothecium denticulatum and Sphagnum papillosum are rare in their appearance.
This community is most extensively present on the steep slopes above Gloup Voe in the north of the Site. Here it may include some distinctive species along its coastal edge that are also associated with the calcareous grassland habitat (NVC: CG10a). They include eyebright, selfheal and wild thyme. Otherwise, it is confined to small patches in a mosaic with other acid grassland vegetation types in the riparian zone.
Mat grass is very unproductive for grazing but its associates provide some pasture for sheep and rabbits. This, combined with its extent above Gloup Voe, mean that it is of some importance as pasture. The low species richness and evenness limit its value to nature conservation but the presence of the additional ‘coastal’ species (including kidney vetch, sea campion and moss campion), increases its interest along the shoreline at Gloup Voe, just outside the Site boundary.
U5b Nardus stricta-Galium saxatile grassland, Agrostis canina-Polytrichum commune sub-community
A high cover of Polytrichum commune and other mire associates, including Sphagnum, in the sward of mat grass is indicative of the U5b Agrostis canina-Polytrichum commune (velvet bent-moss) sub-community. This reflects the association of this acid grassland sub- community with marginal lengths of blanket bog and the riparian zone.
Mat grass is abundant to dominant with frequent common bog-cotton, common sedge, sweet vernal grass and tormentil; occasional heath milkwort, heath woodrush, sweet vernal grass and wavy hair-grass; and rare heather, pill sedge, sorrel and star sedge. Heath rush can be locally dominant where clones have expanded but it is otherwise subordinate to the mat grass (attaining dominance only in the U6 sub-communities). Mosses are prominent in this sub-community and as well as the frequent to locally abundant Polytrichum commune and Sphagnum capillifolium; Dicranum scoparium, Hylocomium splendens, Mnium hornum, Polytrichum juniperinum and Sphagnum papillosum can be frequent to occasional.
Rather unproductive, this sub-community is maintained by a combination of grazing and surface waters, in the riparian zone and less well-defined depressions conducting surface water.
U5c Nardus stricta-Galium saxatile grassland, Carex panicea-Viola riviniana sub- community
A flushed area of grassland receiving overspill from a lochan along a linear depression and rill is the habitat of the U5c Carex panicea-Viola riviniana (carnation sedge-heath violet) sub-
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community (refer to Target Note 90, Appendix 1). Mat grass is abundant in the sward with frequent carnation sedge, sea plantain and sheep’s fescue. Common yellow sedge, common- dog violet, lesser clubmoss, pill sedge and tormentil are occasional; and ribwort plantain and selfheal are rare. This species assemblage that includes mildly mesotrophic herbs especially, carnation sedge and common-dog violet, is collectively indicative of the U5c Carex panicea- Viola riviniana sub-community. The influence of salt spray is apparent in the uncharacteristic frequency of sea plantain.
Although moderately productive, the rarity of this vegetation type means that it is of little economic value. It is also a rather a species-poor and uneven example of the sub-community with no particular, conservation value.
U5d Nardus stricta-Galium saxatile grassland, Calluna vulgaris-Danthonia decumbens sub-community
Within one area of M17b blanket bog vegetation in the north of the Site there are patches of mat grass grassland that approach the composition of U5d Calluna vulgaris-Danthonia decumbens (heather-heath grass) acid grassland. Mat grass is dominant with frequent to locally abundant heather; and frequent to occasional: common bent, carnation sedge, common bog-cotton and purple moor-grass.
This assemblage probably reflects the presence of thin peat and selective grazing by livestock within the M17b blanket bog vegetation. Refer also to Target Note 17, Appendix 1.
U5e Nardus stricta-Galium saxatile grassland, Racomitrium lanuginosum sub-community
Extensive open lawns and low hummocks of Racomitrium lanuginosum within the sward of mat grass distinguish this sub-community. It is associated with transitions from blanket bog, in which the cover of Racomitrium lanuginosum is also high and heather abundant, to exposed areas of bedrock. As such, the sub-community is present on thin, organic soils.
As well as the dominant mat grass and abundant Racomitrium lanuginosum, there is a moderately diverse range of associates including frequent to occasional: deergrass, heath woodrush, heather, pill sedge, sheep’s and viviparous fescue and tormentil; and rare fir clubmoss. Additional mosses (and liverworts), include: Frullania tamarisci, Hypnum jutlandicum, Mnium hornum and Scapania gracilis.
Grazing appears to maintain the community by preventing the formation of a heather canopy. This species remains frequent however and the U5e sub-community is probably derived from, and likely to return to, the composition of the H14a, dry heath sub-community in the absence of grazing.
U6a Juncus squarrosus-Festuca ovina grassland, Sphagnum spp. sub-community
U6 communities are identified by the dominance of heath rush in association with a variety of species assemblages. Within the Site, U6a and U6d are present, the former having a number of mire-related associates; and the latter, associates typical of U4 or U5 acid grassland vegetation. These associates reflect the differing environmental conditions that also distinguish the two sub-communities.
Gentle, poorly-drained slopes; and depressions and hollows crossed by surface waters are occupied by the U6a Sphagnum (bog-moss) sub-community. It is distinguished by its range of bog-derived associates including abundant to locally dominant heath rush; abundant Sphagnum papillosum and frequent to occasional: bog stitchwort, common bog-cotton, common sedge, heath bedstraw, lesser spearwort, Mnium hornum, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum juniperinum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum palustre, velvet bent and tormentil.
On the edge of surface waters, especially where they are met by overland water flows, the U6a often approaches the character of acid/neutral flush habitat (NVC: M6) with frequent to locally abundant Sphagnum fallax and Sphagnum palustre and occasional round-leaved
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sundew. These species reflect the ponding of water and the wettest extreme of variation within the U6a sub-community
U6d Juncus squarrosus-Festuca ovina grassland, Agrostis capillaris-Luzula multiflora sub- community
Small changes in topography define the areas occupied by the U6a and U6d sub- communities; with the former occupying damp depressions and the latter occupying better- drained slopes and ridges. U6d is also more productive, with its typical, grass sward of frequent to locally abundant mat grass, sweet vernal grass, velvet bent, tormentil and wavy hair-grass amongst the dominant rosettes of heath rush. Heath bedstraw and heath woodrush are frequent; and common bog-cotton, common mouse-ear, common sedge, marsh horsetail, pill sedge, sheep’s fescue, soft rush, sorrel, tufted hair-grass and wavy hair- grass are occasional. Mosses are of a high cover in the short, grazed, open sward of grasses and heath rush and they include abundant Hylocomium splendens and Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus; and occasional Dicranum scoparium, Mnium hornum, Peltigera sp., Polytrichum juniperinum, Sphagnum capillifolium and Sphagnum papillosum.
Environment
A list of the acid grassland, NVC sub-/communities is provided in Table 3 with an indication of their habitats.
Table 4: List of Unimproved, Acid Grassland NVC Communities and their Habitat(s)
NVC community NVC sub-community Habitat Pasture in the vicinity of U4 a: Typical sub-community settlements and the Festuca ovina-Agrostis riparian zone. capillaris-Galium saxatile b: Holcus lanatus-Trifolium repens sub- Pasture in the vicinity of grassland community settlements. Steep, well-drained a: Species-poor sub-community slopes. b: Agrostis canina-Polytrichum commune Riparian zone and sub-community blanket bog margins. U5 c: Carex panicea-Viola riviniana sub- Nardus stricta-Galium Surface water soakway. community saxatile grassland d: Calluna vulgaris-Danthonia decumbens Grazed areas within sub-community blanket bog. e: Racomitrium lanuginosum sub- Coastal zone and blanket community bog margins. U6 a: Sphagnum spp. sub-community Riparian zone and Juncus squarrosus-Festuca d: Agrostis capillaris-Luzula multiflora blanket bog margins. ovina grassland sub-community
Collectively, the acid grassland communities are present on relatively well-drained slopes that would otherwise be blanketed by bog. However, where the U5b, U5c or U6a sub- communities are present, surface water movement across the slope is usually evident so that conditions are wet enough to support their defining, Polytrichum commune and Sphagnum species (especially S. fallax).
Improvement through grazing, past or present fertiliser applications and locally, drainage, contribute to the formation of the U4 grasslands, and the more productive U4b especially, in the vicinity of abandoned and active settlements. These areas are usually associated with mineral soils but the U4a sub-community may be extended onto peat through drainage.
Aside from the U5b and U5c sub-communities already mentioned, the other U5 acid grassland sub-communities are associated with steep slopes and exposure, especially towards the coast. The U5a sub-community occurs in association with the mesic, U5b sub-community where the former picks out the better-drained slopes and ridges; and the latter, surface
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water tracks. The U5d and U5e sub-communities are associated with marginal areas of blanket bog that are respectively subject to grazing and exposure in the vicinity of the coast. B1.2 Acid Grassland, Semi-improved
Habitat
Around Vigon, on the north-western Site boundary, are the most improved, U4 acid grasslands. The improvement is reflected in the vivid green colouration and the extremely close-cropped and dense, grass-dominated sward with a low number and cover of forbs and mosses).
Vegetation
U4b Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Galium saxatile grassland, Holcus lanatus-Trifolium repens sub-community
Species distinguishing the U4b Holcus lanatus-Trifolium repens (Yorkshire fog-white clover) sub-community include frequent to locally abundant: smooth meadow-grass, white clover and Yorkshire fog as well as the bents, fescues, and sweet vernal grass typical of the community as a whole; although heath bedstraw and tormentil are rare.
Additional species include frequent ‘weeds’ such as common mouse-ear and procumbent pearlwort as well as rare sheep’s sorrel, mat grass and creeping buttercup. Mosses are rare, because of the dense, grass sward and salt spray, but Kindbergia praelonga and Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus are occasional.
Environment
This grassland sub-community is the most productive form of pasture within the Site. It has presumably been managed as such for many centuries, with inputs of inorganic and/or organic fertiliser and is currently maintained by ongoing grazing. Developed on slopes and on a low ridge, conditions are naturally well-drained. B3.1 Calcareous Grassland, Unimproved
Habitat
Easily identified by the short, fine-leaved sward of sheep’s fescue and common bent and weft of wild thyme, this habitat is confined to one location at the head of Gloup Voe (refer to Target Note 33, Appendix 1). Here it is associated within thin, well-drained, inorganic soils over rock outcrops and steep slopes.
Vegetation
CG10a Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Thymus praecox grassland, Trifolium repens-Luzula campestris sub-community
The CG10a Trifolium repens-Luzula campestris (white clover-heath woodrush) sub- community is recognised according to the frequency of heath woodrush, sweet vernal grass and white clover; and the low number and cover of sedges.
As well as the above-listed species, dog violet, heath bedstraw, hoary plantain, mat grass, and red fescue are frequent to locally abundant. Dicranum scoparium, Hylocomium splendens, pill sedge, Polytrichum juniperinum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, selfheal, Thuidium tamariscinum and tormentil are frequent to occasional. Birds- foot trefoil, daisy, eyebright, heath milkwort and heath woodrush occur rarely.
Environment
The steep slopes occupied by this community at the base of a gorge are broken by rock outcrops and very free-draining. The soil is consequently thin, prone to slippage and somewhat skeletal. This is reflected in the low productivity of the vegetation and the low
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levels of grazing as a consequence of this and the steepness. Wild thyme persists along the shoreline north of the gorge, within otherwise, species-poor, U5a acid grassland. B5 Marshy Grassland
Habitat
Marshy grassland habitat is readily recognised by its tall sward of rushes that is underlain by a grass or forb rich field layer, rather than Sphagnum (refer to M6, Paragraph 3.92). Waterlogged conditions are also present with the water table at around the vegetation surface. Within the Site, it is rare and confined to the lower reaches of three of the watercourses.
Vegetation
M23b Juncus effusus/acutiflorus-Galium palustre rush-pasture, Juncus effusus sub- community
M23 is similar to M6 mire vegetation but beneath its sward of rushes there is little or no Sphagnum and herbs are prominent instead. The M23b Juncus effusus (soft rush) sub- community is distinguished by its sward of dominant soft rush.
The M23b within the Site is species-poor and uneven and consequently bears some affinities to the M6 mire vegetation, especially in the frequency of Polytrichum commune. Other species are occasional to locally frequent and they include: articulated rush, bog stitchwort, common bent, compact rush, heath bedstraw, heath rush, red and sheep’s fescue, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, sorrel, sweet vernal grass, tormentil, white clover and Yorkshire fog. Smooth meadow-grass, star sedge, and sweet vernal grass are rare.
Environment
The scarcity of this sub-community across the Site reflects the widespread presence of peat and the low productivity of the riparian zone. Its location in the more fertile areas and relatively productive, grass-rich sward mean that it is preferentially grazed by sheep D1.1 Acid, Dry, Dwarf Shrub Heath
Habitat
A dominant cover of heather with a variety of other sub-shrubs or herbs is indicative of dwarf shrub heath. Sphagnum species are generally scarce and ‘feather’ mosses predominate instead because of the relatively well-drained slopes on which the heath habitat is located. These are in areas free from high levels of grazing that would otherwise have resulted in the loss of the heather and its replacement by grasses, although this process is possibly evident in the areas of H12c described below (refer to Paragraph 4.83).
Heath habitat is scattered throughout the Site on suitable slopes but especially along the steep, lower flanks of the more major watercourses, where drainage and freedom from grazing combine.
Vegetation
Three different heath vegetation communities were identified during the course of the survey. They are bulleted and described below:
x H12c Calluna vulgaris-Vaccinium myrtillus heath, Galium saxatile-Festuca ovina sub- community
x H14 Calluna vulgaris-Racomitrium lanuginosum heath
x Non-NVC dry heath
Only two of the communities are referable to the NVC, the third is a species-poor assemblage of heather, the moss Hylocomium splendens and either common bog-cotton or common sedge.
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H12c Calluna vulgaris-Vaccinium myrtillus heath, Galium saxatile-Festuca ovina sub- community
In the H12 Calluna vulgaris-Vaccinium myrtillus (heather-blaeberry) community, the heath habitat has an extensive canopy of heather that may be associated with other sub-shrubs, especially blaeberry. However, this latter plant is rare within the Site so that most stands are dominated by heather alone. Beneath the heather’s canopy, there are large pleurocarpous mosses, especially Hylocomium splendens. Grazing has broken up the heather canopy, so there is a grass-rich sward which distinguishes the H12c Galium saxatile- Festuca ovina (heath bedstraw-sheep’s fescue) sub-community.
Over considerable areas, the canopy of heather is exclusively dominant and it overlies its own litter with no associates. Elsewhere, pleurocarpous mosses are occasional to abundant (especially Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum jutlandicum, Pleurozium schreberi and Rhytidiadelphus loreus) and in openings in the heather canopy, the grass-rich sward includes frequent to locally abundant: common bent, green-ribbed sedge, heath bedstraw, mat grass, sheep’s fescue, sweet vernal grass, tormentil and wavy hair-grass; with occasional common mouse-ear, Frullania tamarisci and heath woodrush. Heath milkwort, hard fern, Mnium hornum and pill sedge occur rarely. Bell heather and crowberry are occasional associates of the dominant heather in the sub-shrub canopy.
H14 Calluna vulgaris-Racomitrium lanuginosum heath
Swollen mounds of the silver-grey Racomitrium lanuginosum amongst prostrate heather shrubs in exposed situations (next to the coast) indicate the H14 Calluna vulgaris- Racomitrium lanuginosum (heather-moss) community’s composition and habitat. Within the Site, such stands are very species-poor so that the community is ascribed in the absence of any of the sub-communities’ distinctive associates. Other than the dominant heather and Racomitrium lanuginosum, common bog-cotton, crowberry, deergrass, sheep’s fescue and tormentil occur occasionally to rarely. Common bog-cotton and cross-leafed heath also become present in transitions to blanket bog.
Non-NVC Dry Heath
This heath type cannot be ascribed to any particular NVC community. Heather is dominant with frequent to locally abundant Hylocomium splendens and common bog-cotton or common sedge. Other species are occasional to rare and may include bell heather, Cladonia impexa, heath woodrush, Hypnum jutlandicum, Pleurozium schreberi, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus and tormentil.
Environment
All of the heath types are associated with good drainage. In the case of H14, this is associated with exposure to desiccating winds on skeletal soils over the top of coastal mounds and ridges. H12c is much more widely present, on steep slopes, especially above the watercourses where it is associated with acid grassland communities and podsols. The non- NVC dry heath is intermediate between the better-drained heaths and blanket bog occurring at their transition: on moderately steep slopes; or more rarely, in shallow, linear depressions subject to some soligenous influence (this is most evident in the frequent appearance of common sedge). In such places, it is present on shallow peat (<0.5m) and the presence of this this is reflected in the frequency of common bog-cotton.
Ongoing grazing maintains the H12c sub-community and probably its moderate species diversity by limiting the dominance of the heather canopy. Neither of the remaining heath communities are especially productive so they are little affected by grazing. No other management effects upon the heath habitat, such as muirburn, were noted across the Site.
Yell: Phase 1 Habitats & NVC 25 March 2019 botanæco
E2.1 Flush And Spring: Acid/Neutral
Habitat
Although this habitat is referred to as ‘flushes and springs’ only the M32a vegetation community is directly associated with ‘springs’ where groundwater emerges (see below Paragraph 4.96). All of the other areas/communities are associated with the passage of surface water at scales ranging from rills to the flanks of the more major watercourses. This surface water is derived from natural drainage of the blanket bog and the lochs and lochans. The related communities are described below. As a whole, they are distinguished by the passage of water, the dominance of mosses and of sedges and/or rushes in the open sward above.
Vegetation
M6a Carex echinata-Sphagnum recurvum/auriculatum mire, Carex echinata sub- community
All of the M6 Carex echinata-Sphagnum recurvum/auriculatum (star sedge-bog moss) mire sub-communities are identified by their sward of sedges or rushes over a wet lawn of mosses, and Sphagnum fallax in particular. The M6a sub-community is distinguished by the presence of star sedge over a lawn of Sphagnum fallax. Other sedge species may also be frequent or completely replace the star sedge as dominant. This is the case within the Site where common sedge is more usually the most prominent sedge.
As well as the co-dominant Sphagnum fallax and common or star sedge: articulated rush, Aulacomnium palustre, common bog-cotton, heather, Mnium hornum, Pellia epiphylla, round-leaved sundew, Sphagnum palustre and Sphagnum papillosum may be occasional to rare.
M6b Carex echinata-Sphagnum recurvum/auriculatum mire, Carex nigra-Nardus stricta sub- community
The small area occupied by this NVC community is distinguished by the co-dominance of sedges (especially common sedge), grasses (including mat grass and sweet vernal grass) and heath rush in a wet lawn of Sphagnum fallax and Sphagnum denticulatum. Heath bedstraw is occasional and other species are rare.
M6c Carex echinata-Sphagnum recurvum/auriculatum mire, Juncus effusus sub- community
The M6c Juncus effusus (soft rush) sub-community is distinguished by its sward of soft rush. Beneath this, the species composition is uneven and species-poor. In addition to the dominant soft rush and Sphagnum fallax there is occasional bog stitchwort, common sedge, common bog-cotton, cuckoo flower, heather, lesser spearwort, Sphagnum denticulatum, Sphagnum palustre and/or Sphagnum papillosum. No particular polygon will have all of these species.
M29 Hypericum elodes-Potamogeton polygonifolius soakway
M29 Hypericum elodes-Potamogeton polygonifolius (marsh St John's-wort-bog pondweed) community is very similar to the M1 (Sphagnum denticulatum) community but is distinguished by its habitat (running rather than stagnant water) and a small number of consistent associates. However, it remains a species-poor and uneven vegetation community. It also lacks the nominative Hypericum elodes that is not present this far north.
Sphagnum denticulatum forms a lawn at the edge of the rills with which the community is associated. Within this, bog pondweed and lesser spearwort are consistent, frequent to occasional associates. Bulbous rush, carnation sedge and common sedge may also be frequent to occasional, in places, and in the outlet from one lochan (refer to Target Note 89, Appendix 1) few-flowered spike-rush and bog sedge are present.
Yell: Phase 1 Habitats & NVC 26 March 2019 botanæco
M32a Philonotis fontana-Saxifraga stellaris spring, Sphagnum denticulatum sub- community
The M32 Philonotis fontana-Saxifraga stellaris (moss-starry saxifrage) is a springhead community identified by the habitat and presence of a moss/liverwort mat with scattered, small vascular species. Any of a number of species may be present. Within the Site, the species-richness is low and Sphagnum denticulatum is abundant – this identifies the M32a sub-community.
As well as Sphagnum denticulatum, Drepanocladus fluitans and Calliergonella cuspidata are abundant. Associates vary between locations (refer to Target Notes 59 & 60, Appendix 1) and they include: articulated rush, bog pondweed, bog stitchwort, common bog-cotton, common sedge, creeping buttercup, cuckoo flower, marsh thistle, marsh willowherb, Pellia epiphylla, Philonotis fontana, procumbent pearlwort, star sedge and white sedge.
Habitat
The M32a springhead vegetation is associated with a springhead at one location and with the entrance to a short section of water-filled pipe through peat. As such, the former is maintained by the steady emergence of groundwater, the latter by the periodic refilling of the pipe during precipitation/runoff events. Between these events it is able to maintain contact with the remaining water table because of its floating/’quaking’ surface.
Associated with the margins of surface water runoff from the blanket bog, the areas of M6 and M29 are crossed by water tracks. In the case of M29, these are small rills because it is located at the head of dendritic drainage systems, often in association with M1, M2 and M3 bog pools in the wettest depressions in blanket bog. The rills lead to more significant watercourses and these are the habitat of M6c: within channels through the blanket bog or within the riparian zone. Located primarily on peat-based substrates, the M6c sub- community is very locally replaced by M23b rush pasture/marshy grassland (refer to Paragraph 4.76) on more mineral-rich, riparian soils. E2.2 Flush And Spring: Basic
Habitat
As with the M6 communities described above, this habitat is classified as a ‘flush’ or ‘spring’ but in some places it is clearly dependent upon surface water moving across a base-rich substrate. Such conditions are present only in the three locations: in north of the Site, at the head of Gloup Voe; at the base of a slope in the centre; or scattered on the southwestern corner in proximity to the coast.
The habitat is readily recognised as a stony, sparsely vegetated area that is irrigated by water periodically at least. The vegetation is composed of a short, open-sward of sedges and patches of a distinctive suite of mosses with a scattering of herbs. Many of these are calcicolous (‘lime-loving’) species and this characteristic strongly defines the community in an area otherwise dominated by acidic blanket bog, flush, heath and grassland habitats.
Vegetation
M10a Carex dioica-Pinguicula vulgaris mire, Carex demissa-Juncus bulbosus/kochii sub- community
The character of the habitat already described distinguishes the M10 Carex dioica-Pinguicula vulgaris (dioecious sedge-common butterwort) mire community – an open, patchy sward and cover of sedges and mosses with rosettes of butterwort. The absence of montane species and yellow saxifrage is also characteristic, especially in relation to the similar, M11 mire community. The M10a Carex demissa-Juncus bulbosus/kochii (common yellow sedge- bulbous rush) sub-community is distinguished according to the presence of acidic mire species, such as bog asphodel, bulbous rush and common bog-cotton.
Yell: Phase 1 Habitats & NVC 27 March 2019 botanæco
Common yellow-sedge and the mosses Blindia acuta and Scorpidium scorpioides are frequent; Campylium stellatum and common butterwort are occasional; and bog asphodel, bog pondweed, carnation sedge, dioecious sedge, eyebright, flea sedge, round-leaved sundew and Sphagnum inundatum and Sphagnum subnitens are rare.
Environment
This habitat is associated with base rich substrates in the north, centre and southwest of the Site. In the first location, the base rich substrate is irrigated by acid/neutral waters emerging from an M32 springhead (GWDTE01, Appendix 3). In the centre of the Site, the same situation appears to arise, albeit with some potential, base-enrichment of the emerging groundwater apparent in the presence of M10a / the absence of acid/neutral, M32 vegetation, at the point of the water’s emergence (Target Notes 50 & 60, Appendix 1).
In the southwest of the Site, in the GWDTE buffer (GWDTE02 to GWDTE07, Appendix 3), the hydrological situation is less clear but some dependency on surface water movement is evident in the water tracks above the M10a. However, the influence of some groundwater emergence is apparent in the wet condition of the M10a and the dry conditions within the surface water channels. These presumably only conduct water during precipitation events. E4 Bare Peat
Bare peat habitat is rare across the Site and confined to moderate slopes and vertical faces within areas of peat hagg (refer to Target Notes 22, 23, 38, 66, 70 & 108, Appendix 1). These areas resist recolonisation because of their drying and rewetting cycles, and low albedo. Common bog-cotton is able to colonise some of these areas but they are usually inundated for at least a part of the year and are mapped as M3 bog pool vegetation.
No ongoing erosion of the limited bare peat areas is evident and this view is supported by the low volumes of peat within the lochs and lochans. Where peat is present in these, it is highly humified with a plate-like structure suggesting that it has arisen through drying and cracking of the peat surface before transportation to the lochs and lochans. G1.3/G1.4 Oligotrophic / Dystrophic Lochs & Lochans
Habitat
The oligotrophic/dystrophic lochs and lochans are concentrated in the north-eastern lobe and south of the Site. They vary between small ‘dubh lochans’ based in peat and larger lochs based on rock. All of them are unproductive and the vegetation communities described below are little more than stands of single species that may occur together in a mosaic.
Vegetation
A9a Potamogeton natans community, species-poor sub-community
The floating leaves of bog pondweed (Potamogeton polygonifolius) or more rarely, broad- leaved pondweed (P. natans), indicate the presence of this community. It is most frequent in dubh lochans but it occurs in all types of waterbody across the Site, including the slow- moving water of rills and burns. The amphibious nature of bog pondweed means that it can also occupy marginal situations that dry out periodically. In deeper water (0.5 m to 1.0 m) it is frequently associated with the linear, floating leaves of floating bur-reed.
A14 Myriophyllum alterniflorum community
Finely-branched stems arising from the bed of the loch or lochan indicate the presence of monospecific stands of alternate water-milfoil (A14). It often occurs in the same areas and moderate water depths (0.5m to 1.0m deep) as the A9a sub-community.
A16a Callitriche stagnalis community, Callitriche spp. sub-community
Dense, medium green wefts in the shallow margins of lochs or more usually, slow-flowing sections of watercourse indicate the habitat of the A16a, species-poor Callitriche (water-
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starwort) sub-community. It is recognised from the presence of monospecific stands of water-starwort.
A22b Littorella uniflora-Lobelia dortmanna community, Myriophyllum alterniflorum sub- community
Where the margins of the lochs and larger lochans incorporate a high proportion of sand, rosettes of shoreweed and/or water lobelia can be frequent. This indicates the A22b Littorella uniflora-Lobelia dortmanna (shoreweed-water lobelia) community, Myriophyllum alterniflorum (alternate water-milfoil) sub-community of which both species are indicative and nominative. Associates are limited in their number and cover but locally include alternate water-milfoil and bulbous rush.
A24b Juncus bulbosus community, Sphagnum denticulatum sub-community
Monospecific stands of bulbous rush are the commonest vegetation type within the lochs and lochans, especially where water depths are less than c. 0.5m. It is usually present in its sterile (non-flowering) form. Associates include any of the other species / vegetation communities described above from the lochan habitat. Sphagnum denticulatum is a common associate in peat-stained (dubh) lochans and occasionally, bog pools, but it is generally absent from the larger lochs.
Environment
Bog pondweed (A9a), alternate water-milfoil (A14) and bulbous rush (A24b) are generally associated with peat-based substrates, the latter generally favouring shallow water depths (up to c. 0.5m) and the former two depths of up to c. 1.0m. A9a is also associated with running water where it is included as a component of the M29a soakway sub-community. The A16a water-starwort sub-community is usually associated with mineral-based substrates in the larger watercourses. H8.4 Maritime Cliff & Slope: Coastal Grassland
Habitat
Located in the southwest of the Site where its boundary comes into proximity with the coast, this grassland habitat is recognised by its exposed, coastal situation and short sward that has abundant sea plantain. The presence of this species reflects the significant influence of salt spray on the habitat.
Vegetation
MC10a Festuca rubra-Plantago spp. maritime grassland, Armeria maritima sub-community
The dominance of sea plantain is indicative of the MC10 maritime grassland community even though red fescue is rare in the sward. This species-poverty and unevenness of the vegetation is indicative of the MC10a sub-community, even though the nominative sea pink is absent. As such, the MC10a vegetation within the Site represents the less distinctive and species-rich end of the MC10 vegetation community spectrum.
Additional species include frequent heath rush and tormentil; the mosses: Dicranum scoparium, Mnium hornum, Polytrichum juniperinum, Racomitrium lanuginosum; and dendroid Cladonia species. Heath woodrush and mat grass are occasional.
Environment
The influence of exposure and salt spray are evident in the dominance of sea plantain within the sward. Grazing is also presumed to be responsible for the low species richness and evenness of the vegetation, through the preferential grazing of the more palatable species and the breakup of tussocks of sea pink, for example, by trampling. To lend further support to this view, this species, and other maritime plants that would otherwise be found within the sward, are frequent on adjoining sea cliffs that are inaccessible to the sheep.
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I1.4.1 Other Exposure - Acid/Neutral
Rock exposures are frequent across the Site as low crags or more extensively, in the southwest in proximity to the coast. Here the vegetation is influenced by exposure, as indicated by the presence of wind-clipped heath (H14a), for example. This exposure is presumed to be responsible for the numerous low, unvegetated outcrops of rock on exposed mounds and ridges.
Vegetation associated with the exposures of rock is confined to crustose lichens. Where there is some degree of shelter, the lichen Ramalina siliquosa and moss Ultoa phyllantha can be frequent to abundant.
Yell: Phase 1 Habitats & NVC 30 March 2019 botanæco 5 Assessment Conservation Priorities
The Phase 1 Habitats and NVC Communities recorded during the survey are listed in Table 5 together with their relevant designation/listing with Annex I of the Habitats Directive10, The Scottish Biodiversity List11 and Living Shetland3, the Local Biodiversity Action Plan (where applicable). These respectively identify international (European), national and local priorities for nature conservation as discussed in the following sections. Habitats Blanket Bog
Blanket bog is a priority habitat for conservation according to its national (UKBAP) and international importance (Annex 1 EC Habitats Directive); and its extent and good condition across the Site. Furthermore, the extent and composition of M17b on Yell is a distinctive, local example of the variation in blanket bog vegetation, in a Scottish/UK context. 1,611.5 ha have been recorded within the Site boundary, which represent less than 1% of the habitat at an international and national scale. The good condition of blanket bog and extensive cover across the Shetland Isles therefore makes this habitat important at a local scale. Acid Grassland
The acid grassland on the Site (U4; U5 & U6) is generally of low value to nature conservation because of its secondary nature and species-poor and uneven species composition. This reflects historical and ongoing preferential grazing of the most productive habitat/vegetation communities within the Site.
A single exception to the low conservation value of these acid grasslands is the presence of species-rich U5a along the eastern shoreline, at the head of Gloup Voe, in the north of the Site. At this location, it is potentially referable to the Habitats Directive Annex I siliceous alpine and boreal grasslands habitat. However, most of the relevant area is not included within the Site boundary as it extends for only a few metres above the cliff tops. Calcareous Grassland
The single small area of CG10a calcareous grassland in the gorge at the head of Gloup Voe is distinctive in a local context for its flora, species richness and evenness. It is also included within Annex I of the Habitats Directive and within the Scottish Biodiversity List as an international and national priority for conservation. The small size of the area within the Site limits its significance in this regard, although it remains a significant habitat/community at the local scale. Fortunately, its persistence in the area is facilitated by its location on steep, somewhat inaccessible slopes in the base of a gorge. Dwarf Shrub Heath
Dwarf shrub heath is included in Annex I of the Habitats Directive and the Scottish Biodiversity List. The small, fragmentary examples within the Site are of limited value in this regard because of their small size, dispersion, low species richness and unevenness. This latter factor is most evident in the monospecific stands of heather that can dominate considerable areas (≤70% of individual polygons). As such, the dwarf shrub heath is not identified as a priority for nature conservation.
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Table 5: Phase 1 habitats and National Vegetation Classification Plant Communities and their Relation to Designations of the EU Habitats Directive, Scottish Biodiversity List and Living Shetland, the Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP)
Phase 1 Habitat NVC EU Habitats Directive Annex I Habitat Scottish LBAP Code Title Code Code Title Notes Biodiversity List
M1 x Extensive area of semi-natural habitat extending beyond the n.a. M2 Site margins. n.a. M3 x Distinctive species, vegetation and structure at a European and n.a. E1.6.1 Blanket bog H7130 Blanket bog Blanket bog M17b regional level. n.a. x Little influenced by human activity and in a stable condition / M17c n.a. recovering from historical erosion. U4a n.a. n.a. U5a x Widespread but small patches of secondary, grazed habitat on n.a. U5b ridges, mounds and slopes free from blanket peat n.a. U5c development. n.a. Nardus stricta- U5d x Generally species-poor, uneven and indistinctive except along n.a. Galium saxatile the base of the eastern slope in Gloup Voe where elements of grassland CG10a, especially wild thyme, are present. U5e n.a. Acid grassland, x Grazed selectively by sheep in the absence of more productive B1.1 n.a. n.a. unimproved habitat. U6a x Widespread, small, linear patches of secondary, grazed habitat n.a. on ridges, mounds and slopes free from blanket peat Juncus development. Usually marginal to running and still squarrosus- waterbodies. U6d Festuca ovina n.a. x Species-poor, uneven and indistinctive. grassland x Grazed selectively by sheep in the absence of more productive habitat. Acid grassland, B1.2 U4b n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. semi-improved x Single small area of habitat associated with steep slopes in the Species-rich Calcareous base of a gorge at the head of Gloup Voe. grassland with Upland calcareous B3.1 grassland, CG10a H6230 x Naturally protected from grazing and other influences by its n.a. mat-grass, in grassland unimproved location in the gorge. upland areas x Distinctive, species-rich and even assemblage. B5 Marshy grassland M23b n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
Phase 1 Habitat EU Habitats Directive Annex I Habitat LBAP
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Code Title NVC Code Title Notes Scottish Code Biodiversity List
x Small, fragmentary patches in proximity to the coast alone. Alpine & boreal H12c H4060 x Species-poor, uneven and indistinctive assemblage. n.a. heaths x Little influenced by grazing and no evidence of burning. x Widespread, small, linear patches of secondary, lightly grazed habitat on ridges, mounds and slopes free from blanket peat European dry development. Usually marginal to running and still Acid, dry, dwarf H14 H4030 n.a. D1.1 heaths waterbodies. Upland heathland shrub heath x Species-poor, uneven and indistinctive assemblage. x Little influenced by grazing and no evidence of burning. x With exception to one area, present as small, fragmentary Non- patches in areas marginal to blanket peat development. n.a. n.a. n.a. NVC x Species-poor, uneven and indistinctive assemblage. x Little influenced by grazing and no evidence of burning.
M6 n.a.
x Species-poor, uneven and indistinctive assemblage. M6b n.a. n.a. n.a. x Scattered across the Site in linear lengths following the line of watercourses. M6c n.a. Flush and spring: x Species-poor, uneven and indistinctive assemblage. Upland flushes, E2.1 acid/neutral x Unaffected by external factors (such as grazing or burning). fens and swamps Depressions on M29 H7150 n.a. peat substrates
x Present in two small areas alone. M32a n.a. n.a. x Species-poor, uneven and indistinctive assemblage. n.a. x Unaffected by external factors (such as grazing or burning). x Present in two small areas alone. Flush and spring: Upland flushes, E2.2 M10a n.a. n.a. x Moderately species-poor, uneven and indistinctive assemblage. n.a. basic fens and swamps x Unaffected by external factors (such as grazing or burning).
E4 Bare peat n.a. H7130 Blanket bog x May be included as a component of blanket bog (above). Blanket bog n.a.
Oligotrophic / A9a Oligotrophic to G1.3/ x Widespread across the Site. Oligotrophic and dystrophic H3130 mesotrophic Freshwater G1.4 x Moderately species-poor, uneven and indistinctive assemblage. dystrophic lakes lochans A14 standing waters
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x Unaffected by external influences (such as eutrophication or A16a infilling with eroded peat).
A24b
Maritime cliff & x Present in one small area within the Site. Maritime cliff and H8.4 slope: coastal MC10a n.a. n.a. x Species-poor, uneven and indistinctive assemblage. n.a. slopes grassland x Unaffected by external factors (such as grazing or burning).
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Flush and Spring
Collectively, the ‘flushes and springs’ are species-poor, uneven and indistinctive. The single, partial exception to this is the M10a basic flush that includes a small number of calcicolous species that are locally rare and distinctive because of the dominance of acidic habitats, especially blanket bog.
All of the flushes and springs (M6, M29, M10 & M32) are included under the general heading of ‘upland fens, flushes and swamps’ in the Scottish Biodiversity List (and others are classed as GWDTE – see below). Only M29 is listed within Annex I of the Habitats Directive as ‘depressions on peat substrates’. Its occurrences on the Site are extremely species-poor so that the community resembles the M1 bog pool community that is also dominated by Sphagnum denticulatum. Only occasional lesser spearwort and bog pondweed differentiate the M29 from M1. As such, it is unlikely to meet the Annex I criteria although, by default, it is included as a component of the Annex I blanket bog habitat. Oligotrophic /Dystrophic Lochans
Lochans are the only habitat in Table 4 to be included in Annex I of the Habitats Directive, Scottish Biodiversity List and the Local Biodiversity Action Plan. Although their vegetation is limited in terms of its species richness and cover/productivity, this is a natural feature of these nutrient-poor lochans. They are especially notable for their apparent freedom from human activity. Maritime Cliff & Slope
Maritime cliff and slope habitat is included in the Scottish Biodiversity List. The small area within the Site is not a notable example of this habitat because of its modification by grazing. This has resulted in a species-poor sward dominated by sea plantain. Priority habitats
The following habitats are considered to be priorities for nature conservation:
x blanket bog (NVC communities M1, M2, M3 & M17b; also including M29);
x calcareous grassland (NVC community CG10a); and
x oligotrophic /dystrophic lochans. Locations
One location within the Site is notable for its range of features: the eastern of the two gorges at the head of Gloup Voe (refer to Target Note 33, Appendix 1). It is notable for the following:
x woodland relicts;
x CG10a calcareous grassland; and
x hawkweeds (Hieracium spp.).
The features at this location have persisted because of the inaccessibility of the flanks of the gorge to grazing animals; and in the case of the CG10a grassland, the additional presence of a base-rich substrate. No other, single location within the Site has such a range of features.
Yell: Phase 1 Habitats & NVC 35 March 2019 botanæco
Notable Species
A significant proportion of the plant species recorded during the survey are ‘Species of Least Concern’, according to the 2001 IUCN criteria18. Otherwise, no listed or designated plant species were specifically recorded during the survey. However, the eastern gorge at the head of Gloup Voe (refer to Target Note 33, Appendix 1) contains an unidentified hawkweed (Hieraceum sp.) that was not in flower at the time of survey. This genus of plants has a number of localised species populations in Shetland and is included in the islands’ biodiversity action plan. Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems
Seven of the NVC communities recorded within the Site were classified by SEPA guidance13 as being groundwater dependent.They are listed in Table 6, together with an indication of their groundwater dependency (‘moderate’ or ‘high’), as defined by the SEPA guidance. The site-specific groundwater dependency of each potential GWDTE is also stated, where applicable, and has been assessed according to the ecological and hydrological context of each GWDTE across the Site, or within particular locations, where the context varies (refer to M32 in Table 6, for example).
The dominance of blanket bog clearly demonstrates the influence of a high precipitation/evaporation ratio across the Site. Consequently, there are significant volumes of surface water stored within pools, lochans and lochs; and yet more moving across the mire within rills and burns. The minor rills of the headwaters are associated with the wettest depressions and saddles within the blanket bog covered areas; and they drain from M1, M2 & M3 bog pools along narrow channels (<2m wide) lined with M29, to small burns flanked by M6, M23 & U6. As a consequence of the ombrogenous (‘rain-fed’) character of the Site, with only a small number of exceptions, the potential GWDTEs have low to no groundwater dependency, being dependent instead upon precipitation and surface waters.
Dependency upon groundwater emergence, in a site-specific context, is only attributed to the M32 springhead community in one of its locations (refer to Target Note 60, Appendix 1). Here it is associated with the M10 mire community where the M32’s acid/neutral waters irrigate a base-rich substrate. As a result, the latter is also, but indirectly, associated with groundwater.
A buffer zone of 250 m was applied to the Site boundary and surveyed for the potential presence of GWDTE. The results of this survey are described in Appendix 3.
18 Also referred to as the ‘Red List’ (of threatened or extinct taxa). Further details are available at http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/categories-and-criteria. Accessed 20/06/2016.
Yell: Phase 1 Habitats & NVC 36 March 2019 botanæco
Table 6: Potentially Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems within the Site; their Guidance-stated and Site-specific Groundwater Dependency; and the Reasoning for their Site-specific Assessment
National Vegetation Classification Groundwater Dependency Reasoning Community Sub-community Guidance Site-specific for site-specific assessment x Located on dry, shallow, skeletal soils on crags in the base of a gorge. a: Trifolium repens- CG10 Festuca-Agrostis- High x No evidence of groundwater seepage or surface water movement. Luzula campestris (when not on Low/none Thymus praecox grassland x Very limited catchment for any potential groundwater or surface water sources. sub-community limestone) x Refer to Target Note 33, Appendix 1. b: Carex nigra- x Invariably associated with surface water features, especially the riparian zone of Nardus stricta sub- the small burns draining the Site. M6: Carex echinata - community x Also present in wet basins of various sizes, ranging from a few square metres High Low/none Sphagnum fallax mire (e.g. Target Note 80) to 0.3 ha (e.g. Target Note 14, Appendix 1). These basins c: Juncus effusus are connected by evident lines of surface water movement. sub-community x Refer to Target Notes 14, 15, 20, 25, 45, 80 & 82, Appendix 1. a: Carex demissa- x Associated with nutrient and base-poor groundwater seepage flowing across a M10: Carex dioica- Juncus base-rich substrate. This is evident in the location of acid/neutral M32a at the High High - low/none Pinguicula vulgaris mire bulbosus/kochii sub- point where seepage emerges and basiphilous M10a ‘downstream’ of this point. community x Refer to Target Notes 50 & 60. M23: Juncus x Associated with three short sections of the riparian zone where there is an b: Juncus effusus effusus/acutiflorus-Galium High Low/none evident surface water influence. sub-community palustre rush-pasture x Refer to Target Notes 41, 61 & 67, Appendix 1. x Confined to wet areas of blanket bog in association with M1, M2 & M3 pools. M29: Hypericum elodes- x Forms the headwaters of dendritic, surface water drainage systems, within rain- Potamogeton n.a. High Low/none fed blanket bog, that lead to the M6, U6 and/or M23-lined watercourses. polygonifolius soakway x Refer to Target Notes 3, 16, 25, 51, 52, 56, 68, 82, 86, 89, 95, 102, 106, 108- 110, 113 & 114, Appendix 1. a: Sphagnum x Associated with the emergence of acid/neural groundwater (refer to Target Note M32: Philonotis fontana- denticulatum sub- High High – low/none 60, Appendix 1), or a quaking vegetation cover over surface water flows Saxifraga stellaris spring community retained within a peat pipe (refer to Target Note 59, Appendix 1). a: Sphagnum sub- x Associated with marginal areas of rain-fed blanket bog; the margins of surface community water features (lochs and burns); and rarely on steep slopes. x U6a associated with the wettest locations and surface water tracks. U6: Juncus squarrosus- d: Agrostis capillaris- Moderate Low/none x Selectively grazed by sheep and this factor is likely to maintain the community, Festuca ovina grassland Luzula multiflora sub- rather than water dependency. community x Refer to Target Notes 13, 28, 34, 36, 43, 44-49, 55, 58, 61, 62, 64, 65, 67, 69- 71, 76, 77, 79, 81, 83-85, 87, 92-95, 97-99, 103, 108 & 111, Appendix 1.
Yell: Phase 1 Habitats & NVC 37 March 2019
Appendix 1 Target Notes
Please note: The alphanumeric codes in this appendix refer to NVC communities (e.g. M6a, M17b, etc). Refer to Section 3 and Table 2 in the main body of the report for an explanation of these.
Target Note Description Photograph no. & grid ref.
1 Ruins & rabbits
HP4825204177 Ruined settlement (named Vigon) including a dwelling, byre and pens. Walls intact and one gable end, the other in a state of partial collapse. Ramalina siliquosa abundant on the stonework with occasional thallose lichen species and Ulota phyllantha (a moss).
Rabbits are established in low numbers with burrows into the peat of the blanket bog.
2 Lazy beds
HP4831104248 A series of lazy beds extending over c. 1.5 ha with a close-cropped, ‘boggy’, fescue-bent grassland. Common bent, common sedge, red fescue and sweet vernal grass are abundant in the sward with frequent to occasional: Aulacomnium palustre, common bog-cotton, Dicranum scoparium, eyebright, heath woodrush, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum papillosum and tormentil.
The drains have abundant bog stitchwort and lesser spearwort; and frequent to occasional: common sedge, marsh marigold, marsh pennywort, procumbent pearlwort and soft rush.
3 Potential GWDTE: M29a soakway
HP4849303856 Narrow soakway (0.15 m to 0.4 m) wide with a marginal band of M29a vegetation 1m to 5m wide. Sphagnum denticulatum is dominant with frequent bog pondweed, bog stitchwort, common bog- cotton, common sedge and lesser spearwort.
4 Watercourse
HP4850604415 0.3 m to 0.5 m wide watercourse that flows via a series of long pools and short sections of cascade over a bed composed of cobbles and occasional boulders, in order of decreasing cover. Cut through the peat of the blanket bog and based in the underlying till.
Bog stitchwort, lesser spearwort, marsh marigold and procumbent pearlwort are frequent to abundant by its edge; and Fontinalis antipyretica
and intermediate starwort in the channel.
Target Note Description Photograph no. & grid ref.
5a Drainage ditch
HP4839604509 Unmaintained drainage ditch leading towards the shore. Sphagnum denticulatum is dominant in its base with M17b blanket bog vegetation re- establishing. Common bog-cotton, Sphagnum capillifolium and tormentil are abundant and distinctive.
5b Notable species: spring squill
HP4840504513 Around 20 spring squill plants area scattered over an area of c. 1 ha, uncharacteristically within M17b blanket bog vegetation.
6 Dry heath and acid grassland: H12c & U5a
HP4853504727 The steep flanks of the gulley draining north from the site boundary has extensive areas of H12c heath and U5a acid grassland maintained by grazing sheep.
7 Bog pools and lochans
HP4889304709 This polygon has numerous, small (<1 ha), permanent and seasonal waterbodies. The more seasonal bog pools are vegetated with species- poor and uneven assemblages of common bog- cotton (M3 pools) and Sphagnum cuspidatum (M2 pools). Those that are permanent (including the lochans) have frequent to abundant Sphagnum denticulatum (M1 pools) or bulbous rush (A24b aquatic community); and are used by red-throated divers for breeding, if large enough.
8 Heavily-grazed blanket bog: M17c
HP4943604669 Heavily grazed, enclosed blanket bog associated with ruins of a croft. The sward/canopy has a relatively even mix of heath rush, heather, mat grass and sweet vernal grass; crowberry, heath milkwort and tormentil are frequent to occasional. In the moss layer, Hylocomium splendens is abundant with frequent to occasional: Aulacomnium palustre, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Sphagnum papillosum and Thuidium tamariscinum.
Target Note Description Photograph no. & grid ref.
9 Ruins
HP4951704605 Three ruined dwellings, a byre and enclosures. The rooves have gone but the gable ends remain standing. Ramalina siliquosa is abundant on the stonework.
10 Building/sheep shelter & well
HP4956104217 Stone-built building with a partially collapsed roof. Now used for shelter by sheep. A well is located 20 m to the northeast (and illustrated in the foreground of the photgraph).
11 Non-NVC dry heath
HP4955103751 This distinctive vegetation type is dominated by heather with abundant common sedge and Hylocomium splendens. It is associated with well- drained areas on haggs, slopes and additionally within shallow, poorly-defined channels that conduct surface water.
12 Watercourse / peat pipe
HP4938803772 The narrow (<0.3 m) watercourse flows in a steep slit within a shallow valley or is lost from view within a pipe.
13 Potential GWDTE: U6d
HP4902503777 U6d acid grassland associated with the flanks of a channel that conducts periodic surface water flows through blanket bog peat (it was dry at the time of survey). May be underlain by a peat pipe.
Target Note Description Photograph no. & grid ref.
14 Potential GWDTE: ≈M6a
HP4891203870 Atypical area of M6a mire developed in a shallow basin fed by numerous surface water channels. Periodically dries. Sphagnum fallax is dominant with abundant to locally dominant common sedge. Common bog-cotton, heather, Sphagnum palustre and Sphagnum papillosum are occasional.
15 Watercourse
HP4872103776 A watercourse drains from the area of M6a mire at Target Note 14 towards Target Note 16. In places, there are slow-flowing pools with abundant invertebrates (beetles especially) and a riparian turf composed of common bog-cotton, common sedge and Sphagnum fallax with more occasional Mnium hornum and Sphagnum papillosum.
16 Potential GWDTE: M29a n.a.
HP4849703860 M29a soakway conducting surface water from the vicinity of Target Notes 14 & 15 through an area of blanket bog. Bog pondweed dominates within the channel, with abundant mats of filamentous algae and frequent: common bog-cotton and lesser spearwort. The runnel is flanked by Sphagnum denticulatum with frequent to occasional: bog stitchwort, common sedge and Sphagnum fallax.
17 Acid grassland within blanket bog n.a.
HP4878803601 Patches of U5d acid grassland within M17b blanket bog vegetation. Mat grass is dominant with frequent to locally abundant heather; and frequent to occasional: common bent, carnation sedge, common bog-cotton and purple moor-grass.
18 Bog pools
HP4998003604 M1 bog pools with a permanent depth of water. Sphagnum denticulatum is dominant and it forms consolidated lawns, in the margins, that are becoming colonised by common sedge. Sphagnum cuspidatum (M2 bog pool) is frequent to locally abundant in the margins suggesting that these dry, periodically.
Target Note Description Photograph no. & grid ref.
19 Ditch
HP4867303375 Unmaintained, narrow (<1.0 m wide), shallow (<0.5 m deep) ditch that was dry at the time of survey and has been recolonised by M17b blanket bog vegetation.
20 Watercourse & potential GWDTE: M6c
HP4853303206 Rill c. 0.1m wide that flows in the open, or through a pipe, in a shallow valley draining blanket bog. Flanked by small areas of M6c that are evidently surface water-dependent in this location.
21 Lochan
HP4881702899 Lochan c. 0.4 ha that is typical of the others around this size on Vigon Hill. Peat-based and rather lifeless with only occasional invertebrates (usually beetles) observed. Aquatic macrophytes absent.
22 Peat haggs
HP4883402977 Typical area of peat hagging that is most extensive on summits and ridges. The eroded areas now remain uncovered by water or vegetation, or are pools of an ephemeral or more permanent nature with all three NVC bog pool communities present (i.e. M1, M2 & M3). No ongoing erosion is evident and recolonization of bare peat areas appears to be limited by the ephemeral water levels or exposure and desiccation of sloped areas that do not collect water.
23 Peat haggs
HP4844902620 Example of peat hagging that results in frequent faces and slopes of bare peat but when viewed aerially and mapped in two dimensions, the cover of this bare peat is <1%.
Target Note Description Photograph no. & grid ref.
24 Watercourse / rock exposure
HP4828902692 Watercourse within a broad (c. 20.0 m wide) valley. It flows over cobbles and gravel, in order of decreasing cover, via series of pools, cascades and falls.
Occasional exposures of rock in the flanks of the valley have occasional mosses (Isothecium myosuroides & Ulota phyllantha). Crustose lichens are abundant with frequent, dendroid Ramalina siliquosa and early hair-grass.
25 Potential GWDTE: M29a
HP4865102401 Complex network of runnels associated with M29a soakway vegetation and soakways and shallow M1, M2 & M3 bog pools.
M6a mire-like vegetation is also present. Here, a lawn dominated by Sphagnum denticulatum with frequent Sphagnum cuspidatum and occasional Sphagnum palustre is covered in a sward of rush grass and sedge. Articulated rush, common bog- cotton and mat grass are frequent in the sward.
Additional occasional to rare species are Aulacomnium palustre, Mnium hornum, Pellia epiphylla and round-leaved sundew.
26 Lochan
HP4911802577 Lochan measuring c. 0.3 ha that is typical of the others around this size in the polygon. Peat-based and rather lifeless with only occasional invertebrates (usually beetles) observed. Aquatic macrophytes absent or very rare within the other lochans.
27 Dry heath: H12c
HP4934803261 Area of H12c heath on a short but wide slope within blanket bog. Grazed by sheep and this has resulted in an open canopy. Heather, Hylocomium splendens, sweet vernal grass and tormentil are abundant; and common bent, common mouse-ear, heath rush, heath woodrush, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, red and sheep’s fescue, and wavy hair- grass.
Target Note Description Photograph no. & grid ref.
28 Potential GWDTE: U6
HP4942803172 U6a & U6d acid grassland vegetation associated with the lower section of a shallow, open valley through blanket bog. The valley conducts a narrow watercourse (<0.2 m) that is lost within a slit through the peat.
29 Watercourse
HP4950003155 Watercourse lost within a narrow slit in the peat to a depth of 1.5 m along much of its length. Occasional pools are present along its length that lack aquatic macrophytes and are flanked by rafts of M2 bog pool-like vegetation (rafts of Sphagnum fallax with common bog-cotton and common sedge).
30 Gorge / woodland relicts / watercourse
HP5028902781 Section of gorge with areas of greater woodrush presumed to be a woodland relict on steep or vertical faces inaccessible to sheep. Goldenrod is present in the same places.
The watercourse flows over a bed of cobbles, boulders and gravel, in order of decreasing cover, via a series of pools, cascades and falls. In the watercourse, Fontinalis antipyretica is frequent to abundant; and Chiloscyphus polyanthus,
Dichodontium palustre and Hygrohypnum ochraceum more occasional in their occurrence.
31 Dry heath: H12c
HP5031702818 Moderately species-rich but uneven polygon of H12c heath that is established on the steep flanks of a river valley and maintained by grazing sheep.
Heather is abundant to exclusively dominant. Mat grass, sheep’s fescue, sweet vernal grass and tufted hair-grass are frequent with more occasional: crowberry, green-ribbed sedge, heath rush and tormentil. In the moss layer, Hypnum jutlandicum is abundant with frequent to
occasional: Frullania tamarisci, Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidiadelphus loreus and Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus. Bird’s-foot trefoil, hard fern, heath milkwort, Mnium hornum, pill sedge and wild thyme are occasional to rare.
Target Note Description Photograph no. & grid ref.
32 Ruins & semi-improved acid grassland: U4b
HP5060102969 Only the walls of the ruins (three dwellings and enclosure) are remaining with one dwelling in the same condition on the opposite side of the river.
The semi-improved, U4b acid grassland has the same composition as elsewhere on the site but sea and stag’s horn plantain are frequent. This reflects the relatively sheltered, coastal location at the head of Gloup Voe.
33 Gorge / woodland relicts / notable species / watercourse & waterfall HP5071702989 Steep-sided gorge with woodland relicts. These include frequent greater woodrush and occasional dog rose and honeysuckle.
Notable species include a hawkweed (in addition to the above-listed relicts on the cliffs) by the waterfall but it was unidentifiable at the time of survey as the flowers were still in bud.
Calcareous grassland (CG10a) is scattered on thin soil associated with rock outcrops in the base of the gorge. The following are frequent to abundant: dog violet, hoary plantain, mat grass, red and sheep’s fescue, sweet vernal grass and wild thyme. Dicranum scoparium, Hylocomium splendens, pill sedge, Polytrichum juniperinum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, selfheal, sweet vernal grass, Thuidium tamariscinum and tormentil are frequent to occasional. Birds-foot trefoil, daisy, eyebright and heath milkwort occur rarely.
34 GWDTE: U6a
HP5110503324 U6a acid grassland associated with surface water drainage and a revegetated hagg through blanket bog. Grazing by sheep also appear to contribute to its presence (judging by sheep dung counts).
35 Peat erosion
HP5127903312 Area of peat erosion that has exposed the underlying till. This has revegetated with abundant heather and heath rush and frequent mat grass and Hypnum jutlandicum in an uneven, species-poor canopy and sward.
Target Note Description Photograph no. & grid ref.
36 Potential GWDTE: U6a / watercourse
HP5198503447 U6a acid grassland associated with a line of drainage from the unnamed loch above. Heath rush is abundant to locally dominant with frequent to abundant Polytrichum commune and Sphagnum papillosum. Tormentil and soft rush are frequent.
The watercourse is small (<0.2 m wide) and was not flowing at the time of survey. It flows through a peat pipe and a surface channel.
37 Lochan
HP5202803281 Semi-permanent, very shallow lochan. Rather lifeless and lacking aquatic macrophytes. Invertebrates are rare and confined mainly to beetles.
38 Extensive peat haggs
HP5208103157 Extensive areas of bare peat are present with very limited regeneration. Localised development of M3 bog pools in sheltered and damp margins. Despite the extensive areas of bare peat it is evident that ongoing erosion is not taking place and that regeneration is prevented by the inhospitability of the bare peat environment.
39 Lochan
HP5200002650 This lochan is representative of the others in this northeast lobe of the site.
Dystrophic and peat-stained, the wave-cut banks step down to the shore from the blanket bog above with no transition other than small beaches on the lee shores. Vegetation is virtually absent other than rare bulbous rush in its sterile state.
40 M2 soakway
HP5172802071 Species-poor and uneven M2 soakway through blanket bog dominated by Sphagnum fallax with frequent common bog-cotton. Sphagnum denticulatum and bulbous rush are occasional.
Target Note Description Photograph no. & grid ref.
41 GWDTE: M23b / watercourse
HP5172301756 Narrow watercourse, 0.3 m to 0.5 m wide. Cut deeply into peat and through to the underlying till. Situated in a shallow valley 15 m to 20 m wide and lined with a fringe of M23b marshy grassland.
The M23b marshy grassland is dominated by soft rush with frequent articulated rush, bog stitchwort, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, sorrel and sweet vernal grass. Heath rush, red fescue and sweet vernal grass are occasional.
42 Linear drainage feature
HP5160701701 Drainage feature presumed to be an old drain because of its linearity. Appears to have resulted in a small degree of erosion to the higher, southern side. M17b blanket bog has regenerated in the base with Sphagnum cuspidatum picking out the water tracks.
43 Potential GWDTE: U6d
HP5155302034 U6d acid grassland associated with the flanks of a minor watercourse that is located in a narrow slit 0.2 m to 0.3 m wide and in places, it is lost from view within a pipe.
44 Potential GWDTE: U6
HP5101103002 U6 intermediate between U6a & U6d acid grassland associated with the flanks of a minor watercourse 0.2m to 0.3m wide. Pockets of Sphagnum fallax are frequent in small hollows with frequent marsh pennywort and Sphagnum denticulatum.
45 Potential GWDTE: M6c / watercourse
HP5080702519 Watercourse flanked by U6 acid grassland with small pockets of M6c located in and adjacent to the channel. Along most of its length, it is lost into subsurface pipes.
The M6c mire vegetation is dominated by soft rush and Sphagnum fallax with frequent bog stitchwort and lesser spearwort; and occasional cuckoo flower and common sedge.
Target Note Description Photograph no. & grid ref.
46 Potential GWDTE: U6d
HP5053502694 U6d acid grassland associated with the flanks of a watercourse. Next to the water, heath rush is locally replaced by soft rush and the field layer is relatively rich in grasses: common and velvet bent, heath bedstraw, mat grass, and sweet vernal grass are frequent; and heath woodrush, marsh horsetail, marsh violet, sorrel and tufted hair-grass are occasional.
47 Potential GWDTE: U6d
HP5052802429 U6d acid grassland associated with surface water channels draining from blanket bog within a shallow re-entrant.
48 Potential GWDTE: U6d
HP5036402220 Surface water drainage channels located in a shallow re-entrant. Rather dry and grass- dominated and probably a consequence of grazing as much as surface waters.
49 Potential GWDTE: U6d
HP5026602456 Area of U6d associated with the grazing of an area of free-draining heath and not with any hydrological feature (such as a flush or surface water drainage channel).
50 Potential GWDTE: M10a
HP4884302327 Species-poor, uneven and very open and stony M10a-like flush measuring 5.0 m x 10.0 m. Fed by surface water tracks leading from the blanket bog above. Therefore inferred to be non-groundwater dependent and to reflect the presence of a base- rich substrate irrigated by surface water.
Common yellow-sedge and the mosses Blindia acuta and Scorpidium scorpioides are frequent; Campylium stellatum and common butterwort are
Target Note Description Photograph no. & grid ref.
occasional; and bog pondweed, round-leaved sundew and Sphagnum inundatum are rare.
51 Potential GWDTE: M29a
HP4875102312 Species-poor M29a occupying a complex system of surface water channels extending over c. 1ha. Sphagnum denticulatum is abundant to domain; bog pondweed, bulbous rush and common sedge are frequent.
52 Potential GWDTE: M29a
HP4853902147 M29a soakway fed by surface water runoff from blanket bog and the area of atypical M10a at Target Note 50. Sphagnum denticulatum is dominant with frequent bog pondweed, common sedge and lesser spearwort.
53 Loch: Grudwaters I
HP4862901636 Shallow lochan 0.5 m with a bed of gravel, cobbles and patches of sand. Some marginal peat indicates erosion of the surrounding blanket bog. The peat is plate-like and highly mineralised suggesting that it has derived from surface drying and cracking. This view is supported by the lack of eroded water channels in the surrounding peat.
Infertile bulbous rush dominates the southern 60%. Other plant species are absent and invertebrates
are rare – only water beetles and occasional caddis were observed.
54 Loch: Grudwaters II
HP4849001484 Shallow lochan ≤1.0 m deep. Gravel and cobbles form the bed with marginal areas of peat as described for Target Note 53. Infertile bulbous rush is present but other aquatic macrophytes are absent. Water beetles and occasional caddis were the only invertebrates were observed.
Target Note Description Photograph no. & grid ref.
55 Potential GWDTE: U6a & U6d
HP4932101594 Mosaic of U6a & U6d, and patches of H12c in the line of overspill from the lochan above. Soft rush is occasional in the wettest area of U6a but there is no other floristic change that would indicate M6 or M23, for example.
56 Potential GWDTE: M29a
HP4980802154 M29a and M2 and M3 bog pool communities forming a complex web of surface water rills leading to a minor watercourse to the southwest.
57 Watercourses
HP4977301570 Two similar watercourses meet at the point of the Target Note. Both flow through a narrow slit within the peat with no distinctive riparian zone. At the time of survey, they were rather stagnant but they otherwise flow over a bed of peat via a series of pools and cascades. The only semi-/aquatic vegetation is frequent to locally abundant algal mats.
58 Potential GWDTE: U6
HP5048701859 U6 in the base of a small valley in which the watercourse is lost within a narrow slit or pipe. Evidently derived from blanket bog and heath by grazing.
59 Potential GWDTE: M32a
HP5132902228 Springhead community measuring 12.0 m x 2.0 m at the head of a short (3.0 m) section of pipe fed by two surface water gulleys in the blanket bog surface. Appears to retain water and this maintains the resident, M32a community. A quaking surface also maintains the contact between the vegetation surface and watertable.
Drepanocladus fluitans is abundant with frequent to occasional: articulated rush, bog pondweed, bog
Target Note Description Photograph no. & grid ref.
stitchwort, common bog-cotton, Pellia epiphylla, procumbent pearlwort, star sedge and white sedge.
At the lowermost end of the community, Philonotis fontana dominates exclusively before the character and the distinctiveness of the vegetation is lost and M17b predominates.
60 Potential GWDTE: M10a and M32a
HP5079102095 Several areas of M10 and M32a measuring up to 2.0 m x 20.0 m extending along 60m at the base of the river valley, between HP5079102095 and HP5085702055.
Located at the union of surface water channels draining from above. Also apparently fed by groundwater because the surface water channels were dry at the time of survey yet the M10 and M32 remained wet.
The presumed groundwater is nutrient and base Individual flush poor, as indicated by the presence of M32a. The M10a areas located down the slope/’downstream’ are presumably on base-rich substrate because of the presence of calcicolous floristic elements, in spite of the nutrient and base-poor water supply deriving from above. This view is reinforced further by the presence of characteristic M10a areas and those that are more acidic in nature with only some of the calcicolous, species present.
Within the M32a areas, Calliergonella cuspidata is abundant with the following frequent to occasional: common sedge, creeping buttercup, cuckoo flower, marsh thistle, marsh willowherb, Philonotis fontana and star sedge. In the M10a community, carnation Context sedge and Scorpidium scorpioides are abundant, with frequent to occasional: Blindia acuta, Campylium stellatum, common butterwort, common yellow sedge, dioecious sedge, eyebright, flea sedge and round-leaved sundew.
The less distinctive areas of M10a are mostly on the western side of the valley and these have uneven and species-poor assemblages with Blindia acuta, Campylium stellatum, carnation sedge, common yellow sedge and Scorpidium scorpioides with the other species listed for M10a above occurring only rarely. Bog species are also present in the same assemblages with bog asphodel, bog pondweed, common bog-cotton and Sphagnum subnitens occurring frequently.
61 Potential GWDTE: U6 & M23b / watercourse
HP5092101986 U6a, U6d & M23b present in a thin (≤3.0 m), discontinuous, marginal band along the edges of a small watercourse. Grazed by sheep and the vegetation probably owes its origins to this, rather than groundwater or any other hydrological feature.
The U6 vegetation is typical of the wider area. The M23b vegetation is also typical of the community in this area - it is species-poor and uneven. Soft rush dominates with frequent Polytrichum
commune and occasional: common bent, heath
Target Note Description Photograph no. & grid ref.
bedstraw, heath rush, red and sheep’s fescue, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, sorrel, sweet vernal grass, tormentil and Yorkshire fog.
The watercourse flows via a series of cascades and pools over a bed of cobbles, boulders and gravel, in order of decreasing cover. It is up to 1.0 m wide and flows within a deep trench, with no riparian zone; or a more open channel within a riparian zone occupied by U6 and M23b. Fontinalis antipyretica is abundant on the fixed boulders and cobbles with frequent Racomitrium aciculare and Scapania undulata. Pellia epiphylla is abundant on the flanks of the trench-like sections.
62 Potential GWDTE: U6d
HP5117701942 U6d associated with grazed areas within dry heath. Presumably owes its origins to this factor, according to its extent and distribution and the absence of any hydrological features.
63 Ruins / semi-improved grassland / shrubs/trees / watercourse HP5122801781 Two ruined dwellings and a byre. Only the lowermost parts of the dwellings’ walls remain. They are surrounded by semi-improved grassland referable to NVC community U4a with smaller areas and elements referable to U6d.
Tens of shrubs/trees have been planted within a small enclosure measuring c. 0.5 ha. The species include: alder, common osier, grey willow, oak, silver birch, Scots pine and whitebeam. These Ruins & plantation extend up the valley of the small burn to the east where some individuals have the appearance of being self-sown.
The watercourse within the small valley flows over a bed of boulders, cobbles and gravel, in order of decreasing cover, via a series of cascades, falls and pools. The larger, fixed boulders and cobbles have abundant Fontinalis antipyretica with frequent Racomitrium affine and Scapania undulata.
Watercourse, valley & planted trees
Target Note Description Photograph no. & grid ref.
64 Potential GWDTE: U6d
HP5134101623 Patchy mosaic of U6d within areas of dry heath and alongside the minor watercourses draining across the polygon. Presumed to relate to grazing of the dry heath rather than any hydrological feature.
65 Potential GWDTE: U6d
HP5162400927 Areas of U6d associated with dry heath on a well- drained slope. No evident hydrological features so presumed to have been derived from the dry heath by sheep that graze here preferentially.
66 Saddle mire
HP5156200818 Small (<1 ha) but well-defined saddle mire that has been hagged. Racomitrium lanuginosum is abundant within the M17b vegetation and gives the vegetation a distinctive hoarish appearance.
67 Potential GWDTE: U6 & M23b / watercourse
HP5133200617 U6a on flat areas where the blanket bog has been grazed and U6d on steeper, well-drained slopes that have also been subject to grazing.
The M23b is present alongside the watercourse. Within it, soft rush is dominant with frequent: common bent, heath rush, Polytrichum commune, white clover; and occasional: smooth meadow- grass, star sedge, tormentil and Yorkshire fog.
Within the watercourse, that flows through a peat-based channel, via a series of pools and cascades, intermediate starwort and lesser spearwort are occasional.
Target Note Description Photograph no. & grid ref.
68 Potential GWDTE: M29a / bog pools
HP5088000707 Group of three large bog pools/small ‘dubh lochans’ that largely dry out. Bulbous rush (infertile) and bog pondweed are frequent where a depth of water is more permanent. A narrow band of M29a is discontinuously marginal to the pools and evidently surface dependent.
69 Potential GWDTE: U6d
HP5106801067 U6d associated with the grazing of dry heath and not with any hydrological feature(s). However, some ephemeral, surface water movement is evident across the polygon and these channels are associated with Sphagnum. The vegetation composition of these approaches U6a in its composition.
70 Potential GWDTE: U6d / M2 ‘bog pools’
HP5009101035 U6d has established on the well-drained flanks and bases of the hagged peat. Where conditions are ephemerally wet, M2 ‘bog pool’ vegetation has
established.
71 Potential GWDTE: U6d / dry heath
HP5017100939 A small valley that exhibits a clear transition from blanket bog on the adjoining flat surfaces, dry heath on the ‘shoulders’ and U6d on the flanks leading to the watercourse. Small patches of U5 acid grassland are also present amongst the U6d. Grazing by sheep appears to be a significant factor in the presence of the relatively productive U6d.
72 Dystrophic lochan
HP4906401270 Dystrophic lochan established over an inorganic base of cobbles and gravel, in order of decreasing cover. No aquatic macrophytes present.
Target Note Description Photograph no. & grid ref.
73 Dystrophic lochan
HP4826801209 As described for Target Note 72 but more shallow (<1.0 m) and with extensive beds of bulbous rush (infertile). Some peat is also present in parts of the loch bed but no significant, ongoing erosion of the surrounding peat is evident.
74 Dystrophic lochan
HP4823201076 Dystrophic lochan with a bed of sand, cobbles, gravel and/or occasional boulders, in order of decreasing cover. Some sandy beaches also present. Otherwise, as described for target Note 72.
75 Dystrophic lochan
HP4825700581 Dystrophic lochan with a bed of sand, cobbles, gravel and/or occasional boulders, in order of decreasing cover. Otherwise, as described for target Note 72.
76 Potential GWDTE: U6a & U6d / watercourse
HP4847900581 U6 acid grassland occupies the base of the river valley on steep, freely-drained slopes. It grades into M27b blanket bog vegetation at its margins that define a break in slope.
The watercourse in the base of the valley flows via series of cascades and pools over a bed of cobbles, gravel and boulders, in order of decreasing cover. It was stagnant at the time of survey and is evidently dependent upon surface water flows.
77 Potential GWDTE: U6a & U6d
HP4880100701 U6 acid grassland occupies the base of the river valley on steep, freely-drained slopes. It grades into M27b blanket bog vegetation at its margins that define a break in slope.
Target Note Description Photograph no. & grid ref.
78 Common sedge ‘grassland’
HP4909000792 Area of common sedge-dominated ‘grassland’ on thin peat on a well-drained slope. Evidently not a hydrological feature and probably related to grazing, primarily, with some surface water influence at times of high precipitation.
Common sedge is dominant with abundant Hylocomium splendens, tormentil and Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus. Common bent, common bog-cotton, heath bedstraw, heath rush,
heath woodrush and Mnium hornum are frequent to occasional.
79 Potential GWDTE: U6d / watercourse
HP5007500127 Watercourse flanked by U6d with small areas of U4a.
Water flow within the 0.3m to 1m wide watercourse was rather stagnant at the time of survey and the low-energy regime maintains a relatively species rich assemblage (for the area). The bed of the watercourse is composed of cobbles, gravel, sand and boulders, in order of decreasing cover. Water flow occurs through a series of long pools and short,
infrequent cascades.
Alternate water-milfoil, lesser spearwort, marsh marigold and mats of filamentous algae are abundant in and by the watercourse, with frequent, infertile bulbous rush.
80 Potential GWDTE: M6c
HU5006399908 Small areas associated with the wettest depressions within a broad valley bottom. Somewhat atypical, in relation to the standard, NVC description, due to the prominence of Polytrichum commune and Sphagnum palustre, rather than Sphagnum fallax. However, this latter species is present and consistent in its appearance, albeit at a low cover.
81 Potential GWDTE: U6
HU5001899832 Broad (c. 6.0 m wide) ‘valley’ that appears to represent the collapse of a peat pipe as it is truncated by an upstanding area of peat/blanket bog (that is itself cut, across slope, by a gulley). The watercourse is exposed within the valley but is constrained within a 0.2 m wide slit in the peat.
Target Note Description Photograph no. & grid ref.
82 Potential GWDTE: M29a & M6c
HU4990299624 M29a and M6c at the junction of two minor watercourses where the gradient levels and water collects.
The M29a is dominated by Sphagnum denticulatum with frequent bog pondweed and carnation sedge and occasional lesser spearwort.
Within the M6c, soft rush is dominant with frequent carnation sedge, Sphagnum denticulatum, and Sphagnum fallax; and occasional lesser spearwort and sweet vernal grass.
83 Potential GWDTE: U6d
HU4965599544 U6d associated with grazing of blanket bog on the steeper, most free-draining sections of the loch shore.
84 Eroded blanket bog / potential GWDTE: U6d
HU4932299662 Eroded peat on a water-shedding ridge with U6d and dry heath establishing on thin peat over the till exposed by erosion of the original, blanket bog habitat.
85 Potential GWDTE: U6d
HP4861200105 U6d associated with grazing of blanket bog on the steeper, most free-draining sections of the loch shore.
Target Note Description Photograph no. & grid ref.
86 Lochan / potential GWDTE: M29a
HP4816800170 Lochan with a cover of c. 80% attributable to Sphagnum denticulatum/NVC community M1 with a narrow, bordering fringe of M29a where surface water channels meet the lochan edge. The M29a is extremely species-poor and uneven with only frequent lesser spearwort and occasional bog pondweed amongst the lawn of dominant Sphagnum denticulatum.
Very shallow but only likely to dry completely
during exceptional periods of low rainfall.
87 Potential GWDTE: U6d
HU4806799892 Potential GWDTE that appears to have been derived from the associated dry heath by grazing. Not associated with any hydrological features and located on a steep, free-draining slope.
88 Effect of grazing / MC10a maritime grassland
HU4806899851 Photograph to demonstrate the effect of grazing on (M17b) blanket bog vegetation in proximity to the coast. M17b blanket bog is dominant where grazing is limited on the landward side of the fence; and the MC10a maritime grassland community on the seaward side. The latter is exceedingly species- poor and uneven in its composition and dominated by sea plantain.
The MC10a is dominated by sea plantain with frequent heath rush and tormentil; and occasional Influence of grazing heath woodrush and mat grass. Mosses are frequent to occasional and they include: Dicranum scoparium, Mnium hornum, Polytrichum juniperinum, Racomitrium lanuginosum. Dendroid Cladonia species (most C. impexa) are occasional.
MC10a maritime grassland
Target Note Description Photograph no. & grid ref.
89 Potential GWDTE: M29a / lochan / notable species HU4806699281 Representative sample from the southernmost of a pair of small lochans. Dystrophic but with abundant, sterile, bulbous rush and bog pondweed. A small area of M29a is present at the mouth of the inlet stream and is distinctive for the presence of few-flowered spike-rush and the notable species: bog sedge.
The lochan to the north is prone to drying and has
a limited semi-aquatic flora of bulbous rush and bog pondweed.
90 U5c acid grassland
HU4834299471 Area of periodically flushed, acid grassland associated with surface water drainage from one lochan to another. At low flows, the surface water is constrained within a narrow (<0.2 m) channel or lost within a pipe.
Mat grass is abundant in the sward with frequent carnation sedge, sea plantain and sheep’s fescue. Common yellow sedge, heath violet, lesser clubmoss, pill sedge and tormentil are occasional;
and ribwort plantain and selfheal are rare.
91 Loch: Gossa Water
HU4891299750 The largest water body present on the site, measuring c. 1 sq. km. Dystrophic and sloping rapidly to depths greater than 1m deep to a bed composed of gravel and cobbles with sandy areas. The aquatic macrophyte flora is limited although water lobelia is occasional in sandy parts of the margins. Otherwise, the usual limited range of species are rarely present (refer to main text).
92 Potential GWDTE: U6d
HU4868899411 U6d on the steep, well-drained flanks of a valley conducting a small watercourse from the loch above. The watercourse flows over a bed of cobbles and boulders via a series of pools, cascades and falls. It was dry at the time of survey and is evidently dependent upon overspill from the loch above.
Target Note Description Photograph no. & grid ref.
93 Potential GWDTE: U6
HU4978499919 U6a & U6d on the moderately steep, grazed flanks of the loch side. Grading into dry heath and then blanket bog on the shoulders and flatter areas above.
94 Potential GWDTE: U6d
HU4884798915 U6d on steep slope crossed by surface water in Sphagnum cuspidatum / M2 ‘bog pool community’ filled channels.
The U6d is associated with patches of dry heath and the U6d is presumed to have been derived from this through grazing.
95 Potential GWDTE: U6d & M29a
HU4895699141 U6d in a mosaic with dry heath alongside a small watercourse in a small valley (≤20.0 m) wide). The watercourse is constrained within a narrow peat slit. Where the latter feature becomes more open and the gradient lessens so that water collects, there are small areas of M29a.
96 Lochan
HU4895199247 Dystrophic lochan with the usual, limited range of species (refer to main text). Somewhat distinctive for a small, marginal area of common spikerush.
The bed is composed of sand and gravel with occasional cobbles.
97 Potential GWDTE: U6a
HU4862699255 U6a over deep, blanket bog peat and presumably derived from this habitat by preferential grazing, as evidenced by the presence of sheep and their dung.
Target Note Description Photograph no. & grid ref.
98 Blanket bog erosion / potential GWDTE: U6d
HU4846798952 The U6d is associated with natural revegetation of an eroded area of blanket bog where the till underlying the peat has been exposed.
99 Blanket bog erosion / potential GWDTE: U6a
HU4847598952 Another area of intensive peat erosion (cf. Target Note 98) that has removed considerable volumes of peat. U6a has established over the remaining, thin peat and the till exposed by the erosion.
100 Lochan (oligotrophic)
HU4794098873 This lochan and its similar neighbour to the north are relatively species rich. Bulbous rush is frequent: and alternate water-milfoil, bog pondweed, floating bur-reed and water lobelia are occasional.
The bed of the lochan is composed of sand and gravel with occasional cobbles.
101 Drainage network / potential GWDTE: U6a
HU4777698499 Network of drainage channels within blanket bog. U6a occupies the bases and U5e the flanks of the channels that were presumably once gulleys created by erosion. M17b blanket bog vegetation dominates elsewhere. Grazing is also focused in the channels and the presence of the U5 and U6 grasslands evidently reflects this factor as well as the movement of surface water and past erosion.
102 Potential GWDTE: M29a
HU4789097930 Network of mostly mud-bottomed soakways associated with bulbous rush and common bog- cotton. Small stretches of species-poor M29a (with bog pondweed, lesser spearwort and Sphagnum denticulatum) are present along short lengths of a few metres. Algal mats are abundant.
Target Note Description Photograph no. & grid ref.
103 Lochan
HU4806198145 Dystrophic lochan with steep margins and heavy peat-staining. Aquatic plants are rare and include bog pondweed, water lobelia and extensive mats of filamentous algae.
The bed is composed of bedrock, cobbles and gravel in order of decreasing cover.
Flanked by U6d on the steeper, well-drained sections of shoreline.
104 Lochan
HU4829598350 Shallow, dystrophic lochan with a sand and peat base with many cobbles and boulders. Aquatic plants very rare - only bulbous rush was recorded.
105 Perched lochan
HU4858898365 Lochan perched above the surrounding ground level as a consequence of erosion. Retained by a peat bank c. 1.0 m high and as little as 10.0 m wide. In no imminent threat of failure.
106 Potential GWDTE: M29a
HU4928998462 Gulley conducting a minor watercourse (≤0.2 m wide) constrained within a narrow slit in the peat. Where the slit opens into small depressions or flat areas, small pockets of species-poor M29a soakway are present (with abundant Sphagnum denticulatum and occasional bog pondweed and lesser spearwort). Flanked with non-NVC dry heath.
107 Lochan n.a.
HU4939798499 Oligotrophic lochan that is distinctive for its cover and moderate species-richness of aquatic species. Alternate water-milfoil and bulbous rush are frequent to locally abundant; and bog bean, common spikerush, lesser spearwort and water lobelia are frequent to occasional.
108 Potential GWDTE: M29a & U6d 905
HU4901797991 U6d flanking a water channel draining from an area of peat hagging. Species-poor and uneven M29a
Target Note Description Photograph no. & grid ref.
(with dominant Sphagnum denticulatum and occasional bog pondweed and lesser spearwort) is present in short sections of a few meters in length. Some of these sections are more referable to M1 bog pool vegetation where Sphagnum denticulatum is almost exclusively dominant.
109 Potential GWDTE: M29a
HU4854698014 Species-poor and uneven, 30.0 m length of M29a soakway grading into M1 (Sphagnum denticulatum) and then M2 (Sphagnum cuspidatum) bog pool communities as the consistency of the water supply declines.
110 Potential GWDTE: M29a
HU4837498100 Length of M29a leading to M1 and M2 bog pool communities, as described for Target Note 109.
111 Potential GWDTE: U6d
HU4824397871 Non-NVC dry heath and U6d associated with the free-draining flanks of a small watercourse (<0.3m). Stagnant at the time of survey.
112 Watercourse
HU4895097746 Minor watercourse 0.3 m wide with sections up to 1.0 m wide. Unvegetated, with a peat-based substrate littered with occasional to frequent cobbles and boulders. Evidently carries variable surface water flows and almost dry and rather stagnant at the time of survey.
Target Note Description Photograph no. & grid ref.
113 Potential GWDTE: M29a / watercourse
HU4975197598 Non-NVC dry heath scattered along the flanks of a minor watercourse (<0.2 m wide) based in M17b blanket bog vegetation. The watercourse was stagnant at the time of survey and has small areas of species-poor and uneven, M29a vegetation, especially towards its upper end where surface water flows are presumably more consistent.
114 Potential GWDTE: M29a / watercourse
HU4992098070 Minor watercourse (≤0.3 m wide) within a small, peat gulley (c. 3.0 m wide). Peat-based and largely unvegetated apart from short sections of a few metres where the watercourse leaves the slit to flow across flat areas where M29a-related vegetation is present. The M29a is its typically species-poor form with Sphagnum denticulatum and occasional bog pondweed and lesser spearwort.
Appendix 2 Plant species list
List of vascular plant species
Alder Alnus glutinosa Heath woodrush Luzula multiflora Alternate water- Heather Calluna vulgaris Myriophyllum alterniflorum milfoil Honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum Annual meadow- Intermediate water- Poa annua Callitriche brutia grass starwort Bell heather Erica cinerea Jointed rush Juncus articulatus Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus Lesser clubmoss Selaginella selaginoides Birdsfoot trefoil Lotus corniculatus Lesser spearwort Ranunculus flammula Bog asphodel Narthecium ossifragum Long-stalked yellow- Carex viridula ssp. Bog pondweed Potamogeton polygonifolius sedge brachyrrhyncha Bog sedge Carex limosa Lousewort Pedicularis sylvatica Bogbean Menyanthes trifoliata Marsh arrowgrass Triglochin palustris Bottle sedge Carex rostrata Marsh bedstraw Galium palustre Broad-leaved Marsh cinquefoil Potentilla palustris Potamogeton natans pondweed Marsh foxtail Alopecurus geniculatus Brown bent Agrostis vinealis Marsh lousewort Pedicularis palustris Buckshorn plantain Plantago coronopus Marsh marigold Caltha palustris Bulbous rush Juncus bulbosus Marsh pennywort Hydrocotyle vulgaris Carnation grass Carex panicea Marsh thistle Cirsium palustre Chickweed Stellaria media Marsh violet Viola palustris Cocksfoot Dactylis glomerata Mat-grass Nardus stricta Coltsfoot Tussilago farfara Meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris Common bent Agrostis capillaris Mountain crowberry Empetrum hermaphroditum Common bog-cotton Eriophorum angustifolium Osier Salix viminalis Common butterwort Pinguicula vulgaris Pill sedge Carex pilulifera Common milkwort Polygala vulgaris Procumbent Sagina procumbens Common polypody Polypodium vulgare agg. pearlwort Common sedge Carex nigra Purple moor grass Molinia caerulea Common sorrel Rumex acetosa Ragged robin Lychnis flos-cuculi Common spike-rush Eleocharis palustris Ragwort Senecio jacobaea Common water- Red fescue Festuca rubra Callitriche stagnalis agg. starwort Red pondweed Potamogeton alpinus Common yellow- Ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa sedge Rough meadow- Poa trivialis Compact rush Juncus conglomeratus grass Creeping bent Agrostis stolonifera Round-leaved Drosera rotundifolia Creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens sundew Creeping forget-me- Rowan Sorbus aucuparia Myosotis secunda not Scaly male fern Dryopteris affinis agg. Cross-leaved heath Erica tetralix Scots pine Pinus sylvestris Crowberry Empetrum nigrum Sea aster Aster tripolium Cuckoo flower Cardamine pratensis Sea plantain Plantago maritima Dandelion Taraxacum agg. Self-heal Prunella vulgaris Deergrass Trichophorum cespitosum Shade horsetail Equisetum pratense Dioecious sedge Carex dioica Sheep's bit scabious Jasione montana Dog rose Rosa canina agg. Sheep's sorrel Rumex acetosella Dog violet Viola riviniana Silverweed Potentilla anserina Downy birch Betula pubescens Slender St John's Hypericum pulchrum Early hair-grass Aira praecox wort Eyebright Euphrasia officinalis agg. Smooth meadow- Poa pratensis Eyebright Euphrasia micrantha grass Few-flowered spike- Soft rush Juncus effusus Eleocharis quinqueflora rush Spear thistle Cirsium vulgare Field woodrush Luzula campestris Spring squill Scilla verna Fir clubmoss Huperzia selago Star sedge Carex echinata Flea sedge Carex pulicaris Stinging nettle Urtica dioica Floating bur-reed Sparganium angustifolium Sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum Flöte-grass Glyceria fluitans Thrift Armeria maritima Goldenrod Solidago virgauera Toad rush Juncus bufonis Great woodrush Luzula sylvatica Tormentil Potentilla erecta Greater stitchwort Stellaria holostea Tufted forget-me-not Myosotis laxa Green-ribbed sedge Carex binervis Tufted hair-grass Deschampsia cespitosa Grey willow Salix cinerea ssp. oleifolia Velvet bent Agrostis canina s.s. Groundsel Senecio vulgaris Viviparous fescue Festuca vivipara Hard fern Blechnum spicant Water forget-me-not Myosotis scorpioides Harestail bog-cotton Eriophorum vaginatum Water horsetail Equisetum fluviatile Hawkweed Hieracium sp. Wavy hair-grass Deschampsia flexuosa Heath bedstraw Galium saxatile White clover Trifolium repens Heath milkwort Polygala serpyllifolia White sedge Carex curta Heath rush Juncus squarrosus Wild thyme Thymus drucei Heath speedwell Veronica officinalis Yarrow Achillea millefolium Dactylorhiza maculata ssp. Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus Heath spotted orchid ericetorum
List of moss, liverwort & lichen species
Atrichum undulatum moss Platyhypnidium riparioides moss Aulacomnium palustre moss Pleurozia purpurea liverwort Blindia acuta moss Pleurozium schreberi moss Blindia acuta moss Pogonatum aloides moss Brachythecium rutabulum moss Pogonatum urnigerum moss Bryum pallescens moss Polytrichum commune moss Bryum pseudotriquetrum moss Polytrichum juniperinum moss Calliergonella cuspidata moss Polytrichum piliferum moss Campylium stellatum moss Ptilidium ciliare liverwort Campylopus atrovirens moss Racomitrium aciculare moss Campylopus flexuosus moss Racomitrium affine moss Campylopus introflexus moss Racomitrium heterostichum moss Ceratodon purpureus moss Racomitrium lanuginosum moss Cladonia impexa lichen genus Ramalina siliquosa lichen Cladonia spp. lichen genus Rhytidiadelphus loreus moss Dichodontium palustre moss Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus moss Dicranum fuscescens moss Scapania gracilis liverwort Dicranum scoparium moss Scapania irrigua liverwort Diplophyllum albicans liverwort Scapania undulata liverwort Drepanocladus aduncus moss Schistidium maritimum moss Fontinalis antipyretica moss Scleropodium purum moss Frullania tamarisci liverwort Scorpidium revolvens moss Hygrohypnum lucidum moss Scorpidium scorpioides moss Hygrohypnum ochraceum moss Sphagnum sp. bog-moss Hylocomium splendens moss Sphagnum capillifolium bog-moss Hypnaceous moss(es) ‘creeping mosses’ Sphagnum compactum bog-moss Hypnum cupressiforme moss Sphagnum cuspidatum bog-moss Hypnum jutlandicum moss Sphagnum denticulatum bog-moss Isothecium myosuroides moss Sphagnum fallax bog-moss Kindbergia praelonga moss Sphagnum fuscum bog-moss Lophocolea bidentata liverwort Sphagnum girgensohnii bog-moss Lophozia ventricosa liverwort Sphagnum inundatum bog-moss Mnium hornum moss Sphagnum magellanicum bog-moss Odontoschisma sphagni liverwort Sphagnum palustre bog-moss Pellia epiphylla liverwort Sphagnum papillosum bog-moss Peltigera spp. dog lichens Sphagnum subnitens bog-moss Philonotis fontana moss Sphagnum tenellum bog-moss Plagiothecium denticulatum moss Thuidium tamariscinum moss Plagiothecium undulatum moss Ulota phyllantha moss
Appendix 3 Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystem buffer zone survey
Introduction
In this Appendix, the results of a GWDTE-specific survey within a 250m buffer zone from the site boundary are reported as a series of target notes. Each potential GWDTE is assessed in relation to its groundwater dependency and a map of their distribution is also provided as Figure 3.
The GWDTE NVC communities considered in this Appendix (M10a & M32a) are more fully described in the main body of the report. M10a is the most frequent, with M32a occurring in just one location. Both are classified in the guidance as highly groundwater dependent but in most of the M10a locations below, surface water is a more major influence. Areas of M6 and U6 associated with the riparian zone were not included within the survey because they are evidently dependent upon surface water.)
GWDTE Target Notes
GWDTE Target Note no. Description Photograph & grid ref.
GWDTE01 Springhead & M10a mire n.a.
HP5046503012 Springhead has a floating rafts of M32a vegetation extending over an area of c. 2.0 m diameter. Bog stitchwort is abundant with frequent to occasional: Bryum pseudotriquetrum, Calliergonella cuspidata, procumbent pearl-wort, red fescue, Scapania irrigua, Scapania undulata, smooth meadow-grass and Sphagnum denticulatum.
Directly below the springhead is a narrow strip of M10a vegetation c. 1.0m wide and 10.0m long. It is rather species-poor and soon loses its distinctive character downslope, where it grades into common bog-cotton-rich, M17b vegetation. Blindia acuta and Campylium stellatum are abundant; common yellow sedge and heath rush are abundant to frequent; and the following are frequent to occasional: Aulacomnium palustre, Bryum pseudotriquetrum, Calliergonella cuspidata, carnation sedge, common sedge, Pellia epiphylla, Philonotis fontana and tawny sedge.
Assessment: The M32 is dependent upon groundwater emergence at a spring. This water is clearly acid/neutral, according to the composition of the M32 vegetation but it is base-enriched as it moves downslope over a stony substrate. As a result, the mildly basiphilous assemblage of plants identifiable as M10a is present.
The M32a and M10a vegetation in this location are confirmed as highly groundwater dependent.
GWDTE02 Marginal M10a mire
HP4785799558 Open stoney ‘flush’ fed by periodic surface water flows deriving from the surrounding maritime grassland.
Around 5% of the associated vegetation bears some similarity to M10a vegetation in the localised abundance of common yellow-sedge with frequent Blindia acuta and carnation sedge; and occasional: black bog-sedge, bog pondweed, common butterwort, lesser spearwort, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Scorpidium scorpioides and sea plantain. All of these species tend to be concentrated in proximity to areas
GWDTE Target Note no. Description Photograph & grid ref.
of turf where the water retention is highest. Elsewhere, sea plantain forms an open sward.
Further north, there are apparently similar ‘flushes’ but with little more than common yellow-sedge associated with the margins of the turf and an open sward of sea plantain. These are not considered to be M10a.
Assessment: The influence of surface water is evident in the water tracks leading to and occupied by the M10a community. The influence of groundwater is dismissed according to this and the proximity to the watershed (visible in the accompanying photograph). As such, the M10a here presumed to be of low or no groundwater dependency.
GWDTE03 M10a mire
HP4759198381 Around 5% of the polygon is occupied by M10a mire vegetation. It is located in the line of evident surface water drainage tracks (as above, for GWDTE02) and at the break/base of the slope where groundwater is emergent.
The species composition is the same as for GWDTE02.
Assessment: At the top of the slope, the M10a vegetation is evidently dependent upon surface waters draining from above (as for GWDTE02). At the break/base of the slope groundwater emergence maintains more distinctive M10 assemblages (as illustrated in the accompanying photograph. The community is therefore presumed to be of low to high groundwater dependency at the top and base of the slope respectively.
GWDTE04 M10a mire
HP4743198109 Scattered areas of M10a vegetation in the more persistently wet areas of surface water drainage within maritime grassland. The M10a cover equates to c. 7% of the polygon area and it is associated with frequent, atypical species including: sea plantain and thrift. Otherwise, the species composition is the same as for GWDTE02.
Assessment: The influence of surface water is evident in the water tracks leading to and occupied by the M10a community. The influence of groundwater is dismissed according to this and the proximity to the watershed (visible in the accompanying photograph). As such, the M10a here presumed to be of low or no groundwater dependency.
GWDTE Target Note no. Description Photograph & grid ref.
GWDTE05 M10a-related mire
HP4740097825 Two small M10a-like flushes (25 m2 & 8 m2) within 30 m of the Target Note grid reference. The sward is very open in both with a high cover of sea plantain. Otherwise, only elements of M10a are present in the form of frequent common yellow sedge and occasional lesser spearwort. Other species associated with M10 are absent.
Assessment: The flushes appear to occupy areas eroded by surface water movement and potentially turf-cutting, according to the straight edges and angles of one flush. Exposure may also contribute to their open condition. They are also located close to the watershed. As such, the M10a-like vegetation here is presumed to be of low or no groundwater dependency.
GWDTE06 M10a-related mire
HP4740197772 Two small, M10a-like flushes (5m2 & 15m2) within 30 m of the Target Note grid reference. The sward is very open in both with a high cover of sea plantain. Otherwise, only elements of M10a are present in the form of frequent common yellow sedge and occasional lesser spearwort. Other species associated with M10 are absent.
Assessment: The flushes appear to occupy areas eroded by surface water movement and potentially turf-cutting, according to the straight edges and angles of one flush. Exposure may also contribute to their open condition. They are also located to the watershed. As such, the M10a-like vegetation here is presumed to be of low or no groundwater dependency.
GWDTE07 M10a mire
HP4758197737 Very open and stony M10a flushes dispersed over an area of 50 m x 15 m at the break/base of a slope. The influence of salt in the coastal location is evident in the low cover of mosses and the frequent appearance of black bog-sedge.
Within the flushes, black bog-sedge and common yellow-sedge are frequent to abundant; carnation sedge is frequent; and the following are occasional: Blindia acuta, Campylium stellatum, lesser spearwort,
long-stalked yellow-sedge, Scapania undulata, Flushes at the break/base of the slope Scorpidium scorpioides, sea plantain, sheep’s fescue, Sphagnum subnitens and tawny sedge. The nominative dioecious sedge is rare.
Assessment: The flushes appear to be at least partially surface water driven because they are reached and in places crossed by surface water tracks. They are also located close to the watershed of a low ridge. However, some groundwater influence was
GWDTE Target Note no. Description Photograph & grid ref.
presumed to be apparent in the damp condition of the flushes when the surface water tracks were dry. As such, they are presumed to be of moderate groundwater dependency.
Flush vegetation
GWDTE08 M10a mire
HP4766497698 Single, fragmentary area of M10a mire extending over an area approximately 60 m x 15 m.
The vegetation is a more open version of the M10a mire described above for GWDTE07. The same species are present but at a lower cover.
Assessment: The M10a vegetation occupies and is reached by surface water tracks. It is also located close to the watershed of a low ridge. However, some groundwater influence was presumed to be apparent in the damp condition of the flushes when the surface water tracks were dry. As such, the M10a vegetation is presumed to be of moderate groundwater dependency.
Appendix 4 Woodland relicts
1 Introduction
Despite the current, largely treeless state of Shetland, woodland and trees have been more widespread in the past and they continue to be present throughout the islands. Their current scarcity reflects the spread of blanket peat and grazing of sheep and cattle over at least five millennia.
The continued expansion of blanket bog is limited by drainage of the marginal areas for pasture but grazing by livestock is an ongoing influence that prevents natural regeneration, together with the lack of seed trees. As a consequence, woodland is confined to areas inaccessible to grazing livestock: within fences or walls, on islands and/or cliffs.
Four areas of woodland relict persistence were located during the course of the survey that have potential for restoration to woodland. Only one of these areas retains trees. Otherwise, the relicts are persistent components of the underlying field and shrub layers, especially dog rose, greater woodrush and honeysuckle. The four areas are mapped in Figure X and described in the following sections.
2 Relict areas
Gloup 1
Dimensions: c. 150 m x 15 m
General character: open gulley with very limited areas of inaccessible crag. Refer also to Photo 1.
Relict species: common polypody and scaly male-fern.
Other distinctive species: creeping willow and an unidentified hawkweed species.
A small, open gulley vegetated with U4a acid grassland subject to grazing by cattle, and sheep for a shorter length of the year. Photo 1: Gloup 1 – general view. This has resulted in an abundance of creeping buttercup.
The low crags (<3m) retain a small number and cover of species that otherwise appear to be sensitive to grazing or trampling (i.e. common polypody, creeping willow, scaly male-fern and an unidentified hawkweed species).
Despite the limited cover and richness of potential, woodland relicts, the morphology of the gulley relates its potential for woodland creation/restoration.
Gloup 2
Dimensions: c. 300 m x 20 m
General character: steep-sided gulley with limited areas of inaccessible crag. Refer also to Photo 2.
Relict species: greater woodrush
Other distinctive species: none
Several stands of greater woodrush persist on areas of steep slope/crag here (refer to Photo 2). There are no other relicts or notable species in this location that is otherwise vegetated with dry heath on its flanks, and acid grassland in the base of Photo 2: Gloup 2 – general view. the valley. Its steep-sided flanks and associated shelter offer much potential for woodland restoration.
Target Note 30 records some of the additional features of this location.
Gloup 3
Dimensions: c. 120 m x 10 m
General character: very steep-sided gulley with limited areas of inaccessible crag. Refer also to Photo 3.
Relict species: greater woodrush and occasional dog rose and honeysuckle.
Other distinctive species: a hawkweed and an assemblage associated with CG10a calcareous grassland.
An area of relict woodland understory is present on a section of cliff at the head of this gorge. Its deep growth of honeysuckle and dog rose is supplemented by more widely scattered, small stands of greater woodrush. No other woodland specie are resent.
This narrow, gorge has additional nature conservation interest associated with an unidentified hawkweed on the cliffs at its head and the CG10a calcareous grassland on the lowermost flanks. This would need to be considered in any woodland Photo 3: Gloup 3 – general view. restoration project. Further details are included within Target Note 33, Appendix 1.
Dale of Lumbister
Dimensions: c. 750 m x 25 m
General character: steep-sided and more open sections of gulley with crags to 10 m high (refer to Photos 4 & 5).
Relict species: Dog rose, greater woodrush, primrose, scaly male-fern and wild angelica.
Other distinctive species: Presumed plantings of birch, goat willow, rowan, Sitka spruce; and rose-root and spring squill.
This long section of gorge to the south of Photo 45: Lumbister – general view. the site is known for the presence of trees. While some of these trees may be relicts, others, especially the Sitka spruce, are evidently of planted origin. They have been protected from grazing sheep by the erection of stock fences.
The relict herbs and dog rose are most strongly associated with the crags to the south of the gorge where they are inaccessible to grazing animals. Here, they are associated with herbs of open habitats, such as golden rod or sheep’s-bit scabious. Photo 5: Lumbister – general view & presumed tree Woodland regeneration in this area would plantings. be facilitated by the existing shrubs and trees.
Appendix 5 Figure 1: Phase 1 Habitat map
Figure 2: NVC communities
Key
6 7 8 Site Boundary 9 5b Target Notes (TN) ¯ 5a 4 Phase 1 Code:
2 B1.1 Unimproved acid grassland 10 1 B1.1/B5 Unimproved acid grassland/ Marsh marshy grassland
B1.1/D1.1 Unimproved acid grassland/Acid dry shrub heath 3 14 16 15 13 12 11 B1.1/E1.6.1 Unimproved acid grassland/Blanket bog
17 18 B1.1/E2.1 Unimproved acid grassland/Acid neutral flush B1.1/E2.1/E1.6.1 B1.1/E2.1 Unimproved acid grassland/ 36 Acid neutral flush/Blanket bog 19 34 35 B1.1/I1.4.1/D1.1/E1.6.1 Unimproved acid grassland/Rock 27 37 exposure/Acid dry shrub heath/Blanket bog 20 28 29 38 B1.2 Semi-proved acid grassland SI SI 33 44 22 32 D1.1 Acid dry shrub heath 21 31 D1.1/B1.1/B5 Acid dry shrub heath/Unimproved acid 30 grassland/ Marsh marshy grassland 24 46 39 23 D1.1/B1.1/E1.6.1 Acid dry shrub heath/Unimproved acid 26 grassland/Blanket bog 45 49 25 47 D1.1/E1.6.1 Acid dry shrub heath/Blanket bog 51 50 D1.1/E2.1 Acid dry shrub heath/Acid neutral flush 48 59 52 56 E1.6.1 Blanket bog 60 40 43 E1.6.1/B1.1/G1.3/4/I1.4.1 Blanket bog/Unimproved 61 62 acid grassland/Oligotrophic/dystrophic lochs & lochans/Rock 58 exposure/ E1.6.1/B1.1/G1.4 Blanket bog/Unimproved acid grassland/ 63 41 42 D D D DDystrophic lochs 53 64 55 57 D D D DE1.6.1/E4 Blanket bog/Bare peat 54 D D D D DDDE1.6.1/E4/G1.4 Blanket bog/Dystrophic lochs/Bare peat O DO O O DO O O D D D DE1.6.1/G1.3 Blanket bog/Oligotrophic lochs 72 O O O O O O O 73 E1.6.1/G1.3/ E4 Blanket bog/Oligotrophic lochs/Bare peat O O 74 69 D D 70 E1.6.1/G1.4 Blanket bog/Dystrophic lochs 71 65 D D D D E1.6.1/I1.4.1 Blanket bog/Rock exposure 78 66 77 68 E2.1 Acid dry shrub heath 67 75 76 DD D D E2.1/E1.6.1 Acid dry shrub heath/Blanket bog D D D D E4 Bare peat D D D D DD D D G1.3/4 Oligotrophic/dystrophic lochs & lochans D OD DO D O 79 DO DO DO G1.4 Lochs & Lochans dystrophic H8.4 Maritime cliff & slope: coastal grassland 87 93 80 DC DC DC 88 81 91 C C C I1.4.1 Rock exposure 84 82 I1.4.1/B1.1 Rock exposure/Unimproved acid grassland 83 90 I1.4.1/E1.6.1/B1.1 Rock exposure/Blanket bog/Unimproved 92 acid grassland
89 97 96 0 0.7 1.4 95 km
99 94 Scale 1:28,000 @ A3 100 98
101 107 106 104 105
103 110 114 109 108 Yell Wind Farm 102 111 Phase 1 Habitats & NVC
112 1
4 Figure 1 3 0 1
113 : r e b m u Phase 1 Habitats N t c e j Date: Drawn by: Checked by: Version: o r
P 19/09/2016 OM TB V1 © Crown copyright and database rights 2016. Ordnance Survey 100031673 KEY Site Boundary 6 7 8 Target Notes (TN) 9 5b Open Water NVC Code: ¯ 5a 4 Dry dwarf shrub heath and its mosaics with acid grassland Acid flush, rush pasture and their mosaics 2 with bog pools 10 D1.1 1 M23b/U6a/U6d D1.1/M17b M29 D1.1/M29a D D D M6 14 D1.1/U6d/M17b 3 DDDDD M6/M1/M2/M3/M29 16 15 13 12 11 D1.1/U6d/U6a D D D M6b/M29/M1 D!D! !D D D D 17 18 D1.1/U6d/U6a/U5a/M23b V!V!V!V Acid grassland and related mosaics D1.1/U6d/U6c 36 VVVV Mc10a 19 D1.1/U6d ! ! ! 34 35 ! ! U4a 27 37 ! H12c 20 ! ! !U4b 28 29 38 ! ! H12c/M17b U5a/U6d H12c/U5b/U6a/U6d 44 22 32 33 U5b H12c/U6a/U6d 21 U5b/U5a 31 H12c/U6d 30 Rock Exposure and its mosaic U5e 24 46 39 23 I1.4.1 D D UD5e/H14 26 D D D 45 I1.4.1/M17b/U5e DDDU5e/I1.4.1 49 25 47 Blanket Bog and its mosaics with other habitats DDDU5e/I1.4.1/H14/M17b 51 50 M1 U5e/U6d 48 59 52 56 VVVVMV17a/U6d U6a 60 40 VVVVV D D D 43 M17b U6a/M17b 61 D D D 62 M17b/E4 DDDU6a/M29/M2/M1 58 M17b/E4/M3 U6a/U6d 63 41 DDD 42 D D MD17b/G1.4 U6a/U6d/H12c/D1.1 53 64 D D DDD 55 57 DDDM17b/I1.4.1 DDDU6d 54 DDDM17b/M1/M2/G1.4 DDDU6d/H12c/D1.1 M17b/M2 DDDU6d/M17c 72 73 M17b/M2/G1.4 U6d/M2 M17b/M2/M3/E4/G1.3 74 69 U6d/U4a 70 M17b/M2/M3/E4 D D UD6d/U4a/U5b 71 65 D D D M17b/M2/M3/G1.4 U6d/U6a/D1.1 78 66 DDD M17b/M3 U6d/U6a/M23b/U5a/b 77 68 DDD 67 M17b/M3/E4/G1.4 U6d/U6a/M6c 75 76 DDD M17b/M3/G1.3 U6d/U6a/U4a/D1.1 M17b/M3/G1.4 ! ! !U6d/U6a/U5a/D1.1 DDD ! DDDM17b/M3/M2 ! ! M17b/M3/M2/M1 79 DDD M17b/U5a M17b/U5b 87 93 80 88 81 M17b/U5e/I1.4.1/G1.3/4 91 D D MD17b/U5e/U6a 84 DDDDD 82 M17b/U6a/M2/G1.4 83 DDD 90 M17c 92 M2 89 97 96 0 0.7 1.4 95 km
99 94 Scale 1:28,000 @ A3 100 98
101 107 106 104 105
103 110 114 109 108 Yell Wind Farm 102 111 Phase 1 Habitats & NVC
112 1
4 Figure 2 3 0 1
113 : r e b m u NVC Communities N t c e j Date: Drawn by: Checked by: Version: o r
P 19/09/2016 OM TB V1 © Crown copyright and database rights 2016. Ordnance Survey 100031673
Yell: Phase 1 Habitats & NVC 38 March 2019